Health
Newer shingles vaccine linked to reduced cardiovascular risk, study finds
Researchers found Shingrix recipients had lower rates of heart attack and stroke compared to those who received an older vaccine, though randomized trials are still needed.
The short version
- A study published in Nature Medicine suggests the Shingrix shingles vaccine is associated with a 12% lower risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes over the first three and a half years compared to the older Zostavax vaccine.
- The benefit dropped to a 4% lower overall risk of cardiovascular disease by the end of the seven-year follow-up period.
- Researchers utilized the 2017 U.S. transition from Zostavax to Shingrix to compare the two vaccinated groups and reduce potential observational biases.
- Clinical trials are currently underway to confirm whether the vaccine directly causes the protective effect or if the link is driven by other biological mechanisms.
Key facts
- A study analyzing the health records of 70,000 U.S. adults aged 60 and older linked the Shingrix vaccine to a 12% reduction in cardiovascular events over three and a half years compared to Zostavax.[The Guardian]
- Over a seven-year follow-up period, Shingrix was associated with a 4% lower overall risk of cardiovascular disease relative to the older vaccine.[The Guardian]
- The research was led by Dr. Maxime Taquet at the University of Oxford and published in Nature Medicine.[The Guardian · STAT]
- To minimize bias between vaccinated and unvaccinated populations, researchers examined patient records surrounding the rapid U.S. shift from Zostavax to Shingrix in 2017.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- Whether the vaccine directly causes a reduction in cardiovascular risk remains unproven until randomized controlled trials are completed.[The Guardian]
- The exact biological mechanism behind the association is unknown; possibilities include preventing virus-induced heart risks or broader immune system effects that suppress inflammation.[The Guardian]