A global systematic review has found that the shingles vaccine is linked to an 18% reduction in the risk of stroke or heart attack in adults. The analysis, which included 19 studies of both randomized trials and observational research, suggests that vaccination against shingles could offer cardiovascular protection in addition to preventing the painful viral infection.
Researchers noted that the vaccine may help reduce inflammation caused by shingles, a factor known to contribute to heart and circulatory problems. While the findings are promising, experts stress that further research is needed to confirm the protective effect and understand its impact across different age groups.
The results highlight the potential broader benefits of vaccination, and in light of these findings, NHS England is expanding eligibility for the shingles jab to include younger adults with severely weakened immune systems.
