Groundbreaking research suggests the shingles vaccine may provide significant cardiovascular protection, reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes by nearly 20%. In the first global systematic review and meta-analysis on the subject, researchers found that adults who received the herpes zoster vaccine had an 18% lower risk of stroke or heart attack. Among those aged 50 and older, the reduction was 16%.
The study, which analyzed 19 international studies, will be presented at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual meeting in Madrid. Experts suggest that by preventing shingles, which can trigger harmful inflammation, the vaccine may indirectly protect against cardiovascular disease. While the evidence is promising, most of the data comes from observational studies, meaning further research is needed to confirm a direct causal link.
The findings arrive as NHS England expands eligibility for the shingles jab, making 300,000 more people eligible, including younger adults with severely weakened immune systems. Researchers and cardiologists stress that this could mark an important step toward using vaccines not only against infections but also as a tool to prevent major cardiovascular events.
