A large Welsh study suggests that receiving the shingles vaccine could be linked to a lower risk of developing dementia. Researchers followed 280,000 seniors over seven years and found vaccinated individuals were about 20% less likely to develop dementia than those who were not vaccinated. The study, published in a high-profile scientific journal, adds to growing ideas that infections affecting the nervous system may influence dementia risk. It also points to a preventive measure that is already available.
Shingles, known as งูสวัด in Thai, results from the varicella-zoster virus—the same virus that causes chickenpox. After the initial infection, the virus can lie dormant in nerve cells and reactivate later in life, especially among older adults or people with weaker immune systems. The implications of these findings are broad, suggesting that vaccination could play a role in reducing dementia risk.
The study leveraged a natural experimental setup during Wales’ shingles vaccine rollout. Researchers identified a near-identical comparison: individuals who were exactly 79 years old during the rollout were eligible for vaccination, while those who turned 80 missed the window. This design strengthens confidence in the observed protective signal. Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer of Stanford Medicine emphasized the robustness of the findings, noting a strong protective pattern across the data.
Among the observed effects, women appeared to gain a notably stronger protective benefit. This may relate to generally stronger antibody responses in women and the higher incidence of shingles among women. The results held steady across datasets from multiple countries, including England, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, enhancing the credibility of the association.
For Thailand, the study arrives at a timely moment as the country faces an aging population and rising dementia concerns. Thailand already provides shingles vaccination in some settings, and these findings could prompt deeper discussions about broader vaccination strategies within national health programs. If further validated, the vaccine could become a cornerstone of preventive care, potentially easing dementia burden on families and the healthcare system.
Looking ahead, researchers call for larger trials to confirm the link and guide policy. If confirmed, shingles vaccination might join other preventive measures as part of a comprehensive approach to brain health.
Thai readers—especially caregivers and older adults—can discuss shingles vaccination with healthcare providers as part of a proactive health plan. Beyond its primary purpose, vaccination may offer broader protective benefits, aligning with Thai wisdom that prevention—ป้องกันไว้ดีกว่าแก้—truly is wiser than cure.