The findings of a recent study, published in the esteemed European Heart Journal, highlight a significant benefit of the shingles vaccine that extends far beyond its well-established protection against the painful and debilitating skin condition. The research reveals a compelling link between shingles vaccination and a substantial reduction—a remarkable 23 % lower risk—of serious cardiovascular events, including stroke, heart failure, and heart disease, in older adults. This protective effect, the study indicates, persists for at least eight years following vaccination, suggesting a long-term advantage for those who receive the jab.
Dr. Dong Keon Yon, the lead researcher and an assistant professor at Kyung Hee University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, emphasized the broader implications of these findings. “Our study suggests that the shingles vaccine may help lower the risk of heart disease, even in people without known risk factors,” he stated in a press release. “This means that vaccination could offer health benefits beyond preventing shingles.”
Shingles, a condition that can affect individuals who have previously contracted chickenpox, arises from the reactivation of the dormant varicella-zoster virus (herpes zoster) within nerve cells. This reactivation can occur decades after the initial chickenpox infection, manifesting as a painful rash often accompanied by blisters. Dr. Yon highlighted the prevalence of shingles, noting that “without vaccination, about 30% of people may develop shingles in their lifetime.” He further explained the rationale behind the study: “In addition to the rash, shingles has been linked to a higher risk of heart problems, so we wanted to find out if getting vaccinated could lower this risk.”
To investigate this potential link, the researchers meticulously tracked the health records of nearly 1.3 million South Korean adults aged 50 and older between 2012 and 2021. Approximately half of the participants had received the shingles vaccine during the study period. The analysis of this extensive dataset yielded compelling results. Among those who received the shingles vaccine, the study revealed a statistically significant:
- 23% lower risk of overall heart health problems.
- 26% lower risk of experiencing a stroke, heart attack, or death due to heart disease.
- 26% lower risk of developing heart failure.
- 22% lower risk of being diagnosed with heart disease.
Dr. Yon proposed several biological mechanisms that could explain this protective effect. “A shingles infection can cause blood vessel damage, inflammation, and clot formation that can lead to heart disease. By preventing shingles, vaccination may lower these risks.” This suggests that the vaccine’s primary action of preventing the viral reactivation and subsequent shingles outbreak indirectly mitigates factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease.
Interestingly, the researchers observed that certain subgroups appeared to derive even greater cardiovascular benefits from the shingles vaccine. Men, individuals younger than 60, and those with unhealthy lifestyle habits, including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and lack of physical activity, showed particularly strong protective effects. Dr. Yon speculated on the reasons for these variations: “Our study found stronger benefits in younger people, probably due to a better immune response, and in men, possibly due to differences in vaccine effectiveness.”
However, the researchers also acknowledged a limitation of their study: the population studied was primarily of Asian descent. They emphasized the need for further research to determine if these findings are generalizable to individuals from other racial and ethnic backgrounds.
It is also crucial to note that the vaccine studied in this research was a live zoster vaccine, known as Zostavax, which is no longer available in the United States. The current recommendation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is for the two-dose recombinant Shingrix vaccine for adults aged 50 and older. This recommendation stands regardless of whether an individual recalls having had chickenpox.
Relevance to Black Seniors
The findings of this study carry significant implications for Black seniors, a population that often experiences a disproportionately higher burden of cardiovascular disease compared to other groups. Factors such as higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and limited access to quality healthcare contribute to this disparity.
Given the study’s findings of a substantial reduction in the risk of stroke, heart failure, and heart disease associated with shingles vaccination, it is plausible that Black seniors could derive similar, if not greater, benefits. While the study population was Asian, the underlying biological mechanisms linking shingles prevention to reduced cardiovascular risk—such as reduced inflammation and blood vessel damage—are likely to be universal.
Therefore, encouraging shingles vaccination among Black seniors could be a crucial strategy in mitigating their elevated risk of cardiovascular events. Healthcare providers serving this community should proactively educate their patients about the potential dual benefits of the Shingrix vaccine: protection against the painful and often debilitating shingles, and a significant reduction in the risk of serious heart-related conditions.
Addressing potential barriers to vaccination within the Black senior community is also essential. These barriers may include a lack of awareness about the vaccine and its benefits, mistrust of the healthcare system stemming from historical and ongoing systemic inequities, limited access to healthcare services, and financial constraints. Culturally sensitive and community-based outreach programs, coupled with efforts to improve healthcare access and affordability, can play a vital role in promoting shingles vaccination among Black seniors.
Further research that specifically includes diverse racial and ethnic populations, including Black seniors, is warranted to confirm the applicability and magnitude of these cardiovascular benefits across different groups. However, based on the current evidence, the shingles vaccine presents a promising avenue for improving the cardiovascular health of older adults, including those in the Black community who face a higher risk of these conditions. Embracing vaccination as a preventive measure could contribute significantly to reducing health disparities and promoting healthier aging for Black seniors.