A recent study reveals that the shingles vaccine might not just curb painful rashes — it may also cut down the odds of heart-related ailments for nearly a decade.
Beyond its core purpose of battling a virus that triggers searing skin eruptions, the shingles shot may carry a hidden card — reducing heart trouble. According to groundbreaking findings shared in the European Heart Journal, those who rolled up their sleeves for the vaccine saw their risk of major cardiovascular issues dip by 23 percent, with the benefits lasting as long as eight years.
Data That Speaks Volumes
Researchers sifted through records of over one million individuals aged 50 and above, tracing health trends from 2012 onward. The decline in heart problems was most obvious among men, younger adults under 60, and people who live on the edge — smokers, drinkers, or folks who don’t move much, according to CBS News.
Why the Link Exists
Professor Dong Keon Yon from Kyung Hee University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, who headed the research, pointed out that shingles can inflame and damage blood vessels, spark clots, and strain the heart. “Preventing shingles may keep these threats at bay,” he noted. Interestingly, he said the vaccine seemed to work better in younger adults — likely due to a more vigorous immune system — and in men, possibly due to how the vaccine functions in male biology.
Shingles is associated with an increased chance of health problems like strokes and heart attacks, but receiving a shingles jab seems to curb the risk of such cardiovascular problems https://t.co/xA0w0mqiy0
— New Scientist (@newscientist) May 6, 2025
About the Vaccine Used
The team studied the effects of a live zoster vaccine — a dose that contains a weakened version of the virus behind shingles. But not all can safely take this form, especially those with fragile immune systems. Several countries, including the U.S., have now switched to a non-live recombinant vaccine for wider safety.
Modern Replacement: Shingrix
In 2017, America adopted Shingrix, a next-gen shot crafted by GlaxoSmithKline. It’s a two-part formula that’s over 90% effective in warding off shingles. This new option has now pushed aside the older one-dose live vaccine, Zostavax, once made by Merck.
Yet, Professor Yon emphasized the need to study whether this modern recombinant version mirrors the heart-protecting power of the live vaccine. “We can’t yet draw a straight line from shot to shield,” he said, reminding readers that the study didn’t prove direct cause and effect, as reported by CBS News.
Getting a shingles vaccine may help with more than the viral infection that causes painful rashes — new research shows it can also lower the risk of heart disease.
— CBS Detroit (@CBSDetroit) May 6, 2025
https://t.co/jeTtgkBLgq
Current Health Guidance
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults aged 50 or older should still get the two-dose shingles vaccine, regardless of potential extra perks.
More Than Just a Skin Deep Benefit
Shingles — the same virus that gave you chickenpox as a kid — hides in your body, waiting for a weak moment to attack again. With age, your odds of getting it soar, especially after 50.
This isn’t the first time the vaccine has hinted at other powers. A separate study from Nature Medicine last July showed the latest shingles shot might also delay memory decline. In that study, people vaccinated lived, on average, 164 extra days before facing a dementia diagnosis compared to older vaccines, according to CBS News.
Dr. Céline Gounder, a public health voice for CBS News and editor-at-large at KFF Health News, celebrated the news. “We already have this vaccine — it’s approved, covered, and easy to access. Seeing this kind of promise is really uplifting.”