Could a vaccine prevent dementia? Shingles shot data only getting stronger.
While lifesaving vaccines face a relentless onslaught from the Trump administration-with fervent anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. leading the charge-scientific literature is building a wondrous story: A vaccine appears to prevent dementia, including Alzheimer's, and may even slow biological aging.
For years, study after study has noted that older adults vaccinated against shingles seemed to have a lower risk of dementia. A study last month suggested the same vaccine appears to slow biological aging, including lowering markers of inflammation.
"Our study adds to a growing body of work suggesting that vaccines may play a role in healthy aging strategies beyond solely preventing acute illness," study author Eileen Crimmins, of the University of Southern California, said.