Can getting the shingles vaccine reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease? Is it really worth getting the shot?

A study published in Nature on April 2, 2025 analyzed the health records of more than 280,000 older adults in Wales and found that those who received a shingles vaccine had a 20% lower risk of developing dementia (including Alzheimer’s) over the next seven years—a 3.5-percentage-point absolute reduction. Another 2024 study in Nature Medicine reported that recipients of the recombinant shingles vaccine (Shingrix) experienced, on average, a 164-day longer dementia-free period compared with older vaccines. While these observational findings suggest the vaccine may protect the brain—possibly by reducing varicella-zoster virus reactivation, with a stronger effect seen in women—they do not establish cause and effect. Below, we’ll unpack what this means and answer the big question: should you get the shingles vaccine?

Table of Contents

1. Vaccine Lowers Risk—but Isn’t a Guarantee

2. Had Shingles Already? Should You Still Get Vaccinated?

3. Never Had Shingles? Is Vaccination Necessary?

4. Dosing Schedule: How Many Shots and When?

5. Cost: What Will It Set You Back?

6. Side Effects: What to Expect

7. Who Should Skip It?

Key Points

• Shingles vaccination is associated with reduced dementia risk but not proven to directly prevent Alzheimer’s.

• The CDC recommends Shingrix for adults 50+ even if you’ve had shingles before.

• Adults 50+ (and immunocompromised adults 19+) are eligible for vaccination.

• Shingrix is given as two doses, 2–6 months apart, with protection lasting at least 4–7 years.

• Most insured Americans pay little to nothing out-of-pocket; uninsured individuals may pay about $198 per dose.

• Common side effects include injection-site pain, muscle aches, fatigue, and headache, usually resolving in 1–3 days.

1. Vaccine Lowers Risk—but Isn’t a Guarantee

Researchers took advantage of Wales’s age-based rollout of the older Zostavax vaccine to compare dementia rates in those just above and just below the eligibility cutoff. They observed a 20% relative reduction (3.5 percentage points absolute) in new dementia diagnoses over seven years. A separate U.S. study found that Shingrix recipients went 164 days longer without a dementia diagnosis compared to Zostavax recipients. However, because these are observational analyses, unmeasured factors—like overall health behaviors—could explain part of the benefit.

2. Had Shingles Already? Should You Still Get Vaccinated?

Yes. The CDC and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices advise that even if you’ve had shingles, adults 50 and older should complete the two-dose Shingrix series to boost immunity against varicella-zoster virus, lower the chance of recurrence, and reduce the risk of postherpetic neuralgia.

3. Never Had Shingles? Is Vaccination Necessary?

Although not mandatory, vaccination is strongly recommended for:

• All healthy adults aged 50 and above

• Immunocompromised adults aged 19 and above
  Discuss your individual risk factors, medical history, and budget with your healthcare provider to make an informed decision.

4. Dosing Schedule: How Many Shots and When?

Shingrix is administered in two doses:

1. First dose at your chosen start date

2. Second dose 2–6 months later
   Clinical trials demonstrated >90% efficacy against shingles, and real-world data show protection lasting at least 4–7 years.

5. Cost: What Will It Set You Back?

• Medicare Part D: Typically covers the full cost with no out-of-pocket expense.

• Commercial Insurance/ACA Plans: Over 96% of people pay nothing or minimal cost-sharing.

• Medicaid: Varies by state—check your plan.

• Uninsured: Approximately $197.90 per dose ($395.80 for both) according to GoodRx (January 2024 prices). GSK also offers patient assistance programs.

6. Side Effects: What to Expect

Common reactions (≥10%) include:

• Local: Pain, redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site

• Systemic: Muscle pain, fatigue, headache, fever, nausea
  Most side effects are mild to moderate and resolve within 1–3 days. Severe allergic reactions are rare, so you’ll be asked to wait 15 minutes post-vaccination for observation.

7. Who Should Skip It?

• Anyone with a history of severe allergic reaction to a vaccine component (e.g., the AS01B adjuvant).

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women (Shingrix is non-live, but is not routinely recommended during pregnancy).

• People with extreme immunosuppression (e.g., ongoing chemotherapy) should consult their physician before deciding.

While current research cannot definitively prove that shingles vaccination prevents Alzheimer’s, the strong associations with reduced dementia risk—combined with proven protection against shingles and its complications—make Shingrix highly advisable for adults 50 and older. To determine the best plan for you, discuss your health profile and insurance coverage with your doctor.

Reference

Study finds strongest evidence yet that shingles vaccine helps cut dementia risk

The recombinant shingles vaccine is associated with lower risk of dementia