A groundbreaking global review has revealed that the shingles vaccine may provide significant cardiovascular benefits, reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes by nearly 20%. The study, the first systematic review and meta-analysis on the topic, found that vaccinated adults had an 18% lower risk of cardiovascular events, with a 16% reduction observed in people over 50.
Researchers believe the protective effect may be linked to the vaccine’s role in preventing shingles-related inflammation, a key factor in heart and circulatory diseases. While the analysis included both randomized trials and observational studies, experts caution that more evidence is needed to confirm whether the link is causal.
The findings will be presented at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual conference in Madrid. Experts say the results add to a growing body of evidence that vaccines may protect not only against infections but also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Meanwhile, NHS England has expanded eligibility, with 300,000 more people able to receive the shingles jab from September.
