Shingles vaccine could cut heart risks in UK, experts say
Study suggests jab may prevent tens of thousands of deaths
The shingles vaccine currently used by the NHS could significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, heart failure, and stroke, according to a new study.
Experts suggest that administering the Shingrix vaccine to all over-60s in the UK may prevent tens of thousands of deaths.
Shingles, a viral infection characterised by a painful rash, can be prevented with the Shingrix jab, available on the NHS for those turning 65, those aged between 70 and 79, and people aged 18 and over with severely weakened immune systems.
The health service transitioned from using Zostavax to Shingrix nearly three years ago.
Shingrix is a non-live vaccine, crafted from a specific protein found on the surface of the virus responsible for shingles, making it safer for those with weakened immune systems.
Researchers at the University of Oxford evaluated the risk of heart failure, stroke, or ischemic heart disease—which occurs when heart arteries become narrowed or blocked—over a seven-year span in patients administered either Zostavax or Shingrix.
Utilising data from over 70,000 individuals on the TriNetX electronic health records network in the US, which transitioned to Shingrix in October 2017, the study analysed 36,000 patients in each group, all aged 60 and above.
Seven years post-vaccination, those receiving Shingrix reportedly lived 9% longer without developing cardiovascular disease, 10% longer without ischemic heart disease, and 12% longer without heart failure.
Both genders benefited from the vaccine, with men living 12% longer without stroke.
Dr Maxime Taquet, associate professor in Oxford’s Department of Psychiatry, led the study and stated, “We found that Shingrix appears to protect against cardiovascular disease in both women and men. The protective association was most pronounced for ischemic heart disease and heart failure but less so for ischemic stroke, where the effect was not sensitively significant. It was, however, significant in males.”
He indicated that if everyone over 60 in the UK were vaccinated with Shingrix, tens of thousands of deaths could be prevented over a seven-year period.
Shingles results from the herpes zoster virus reactivating in individuals who have previously had chickenpox.
Paul Harrison, professor of psychiatry and BRC: Oxford Health theme lead for molecular targets, hypothesised that the vaccine might benefit the heart due to the virus's potential to increase heart disease risk.
“By inhibiting the virus, the vaccine could reduce this risk,” he noted. “Alternatively, the vaccine also contains chemicals which might have separate beneficial effects on the heart.”
These findings, published in the journal Nature Medicine, follow previous research linking Shingrix to a reduction in dementia onset.
A 2024 study demonstrated a 17% decrease in dementia diagnoses within six years post-vaccination compared to Zostavax.
Dr Taquet revealed a trial examining Shingrix's effects on heart health and dementia is underway in Denmark.
Upon confirmation, Shingrix “might be the first vaccine that protects the heart and the brain,” he added.