Shingles Vaccination Found to Reduce Cardiovascular Risks, Study Reveals

A recent observational study has revealed that vaccination against herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles, not only serves to prevent this painful ailment but also decreases the likelihood of cardiovascular events. Conducted by researchers at Kyung Hee University in South Korea, the study examined data from over 1.2 million individuals aged 50 and older, gathered between 2012 and 2024 from national health registries. The findings indicate that individuals who received the Zostavax vaccine had a 26% lower risk of dying from heart disease or experiencing serious cardiovascular issues, such as strokes and heart attacks, compared to those who did not get vaccinated. The study's lead, Sooji Lee, noted a significant correlation between shingles and vascular inflammation, suggesting that by preventing the infection, the vaccine may also lead to reduced cardiovascular disease risk. Shingles occurs when the varicella-zoster virus is reactivated in the body, causing a painful rash and additional complications, including a 30% higher risk of stroke and a 10% increased chance of heart attack in the year following the infection. In examining the data, researchers evaluated various demographic factors, including age, sex, income levels, and social habits, establishing that vaccinated populations experienced a 23% overall reduction in cardiovascular events during an average follow-up of six years. The risk reduction was notably more significant in men (27%) than women (20%), and was also more pronounced in younger individuals and those with lower incomes. The study highlights that while the benefits of vaccination were most significant in the first two to three years after the shot, they gradually decreased over the subsequent five years. Support from experts in the field echoed the study's potential implications for public health strategy. Galen Foulke from Pennsylvania State University emphasized that vaccination could lead to significant healthcare savings by reducing cardiovascular morbidity. Despite the compelling results, the study acknowledges the limitations of observational data in establishing direct cause-and-effect relationships. Future research will likely focus on the newer Shingrix vaccine, which is believed to offer even greater protection against shingles and its associated cardiovascular risks due to its more effective formula that does not use the live virus. This study reinforces the importance of vaccination not only for individual health protection against shingles but also for broader public health benefits by potentially mitigating cardiovascular incidents. As more people become aware of these benefits, it may encourage higher vaccination rates, thereby contributing to overall community health.