Herpes vaccine may reduce dementia risk and slow its progression

Research in recent years has shown a possible link between receiving the shingles vaccine and a lower risk of developing dementia.

A study published in February 2024 confirmed this link by analyzing data from previous studies and finding that people who had received the herpes zoster vaccine had a lower risk of dementia, writes the source Medical News Today, reports Gazeta Shneta.

In April 2025, another study reported that individuals who received the vaccine were about 20% less likely to develop dementia over the next seven years. This finding suggested that the vaccine, in addition to preventing shingles, may also have a protective effect on cognitive function.

Finally, a follow-up study, published in the journal Cell, suggests that getting the herpes vaccine may also be beneficial for people already living with a dementia diagnosis.

According to this study, the vaccine may slow the progression of the disease, positively affecting the rate at which dementia worsens over time.

Although the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood, researchers suspect that preventing reactivation of the herpes zoster virus and reducing the inflammatory processes associated with it may play a role in protecting the brain.

These results raise the possibility that herpes vaccination may have broader neurological benefits, but more research is needed to fully confirm this link and understand exactly how the vaccine may affect brain health in the long term.