Shingles Vaccine Linked to Lower Mortality, Dementia, and CV Risk After Herpes Zoster Infection

By Sara Kunesh
Shingles Vaccine Linked to Lower Mortality, Dementia, and CV Risk After Herpes Zoster Infection

Herpes zoster (HZ), commonly known as shingles, poses significant health risks, particularly in adults aged 50 and older. This demographic is more susceptible to complications such as cardiovascular events and neurological disorders. Vaccination against HZ is recommended to reduce the incidence and severity of shingles and its associated complications.

Study Design Overview

The study titled "Impact of Prior Zoster Vaccination on Cardiovascular, Dementia, and Mortality Outcomes Following Herpes Zoster Infection" presented at IDWeek 2025 utilized data from the TriNetX Analytics Network. It focused on adults aged 50 years and above who were diagnosed with herpes zoster for the first time. Participants were divided into two cohorts based on their prior zoster vaccination status, vaccinated (RZV or ZVL) and unvaccinated. After applying 1:1 propensity score matching, the study analyzed 38,092 patients, ensuring balanced demographics and health backgrounds in both groups.

Key Findings

The study found that prior zoster vaccination was associated with a statistically significant reduction in several key outcomes:

  • All-cause Mortality: Vaccinated individuals showed a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.586 for all-cause mortality, indicating a 41.4% reduction compared to unvaccinated controls.
  • Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE): The risk of experiencing MACE was significantly lower for vaccinated individuals, with an HR of 0.787.
  • Risk of Dementia: For dementia, vaccinated participants had an HR of 0.839, demonstrating a reduced risk.

The study found no significant effect of zoster vaccination on psychiatric morbidity or Parkinsonism.

Interpretation and Practical Implications

These findings suggest that pharmacists can play a critical role in educating patients about the benefits of zoster vaccination beyond just preventing shingles. Vaccination may be instrumental in reducing long-term cardiovascular and cognitive risks. While the study reports a 41.4% reduction in all-cause mortality, other studies have found varying degrees of risk reduction, indicating the need for further research to confirm the exact magnitude. Vaccination may be instrumental in reducing long-term cardiovascular and cognitive risks.

Implications for Pharmacy Practice

Vaccine Counseling: Pharmacists should provide comprehensive counseling to older adults on the potential benefits of the zoster vaccine, emphasizing its role in reducing serious health risks.

Preventive Care Messaging: Incorporating this evidence into preventive care dialogues can strengthen the pharmacist's role as a health advocate and influencer in their communities.

Application in Various Settings: In community, ambulatory, and health-system settings, pharmacists can integrate these findings into care plans, aligning vaccination efforts with cardiovascular and dementia risk reduction strategies.

Takeaways

The study underscores the value of zoster vaccination as part of comprehensive preventive care for older adults. It highlights an opportunity to reinforce the pharmacist's role in advocating for adult immunizations, contributing to broader public health outcomes.

Sources

Clinical PracticeGeriatricsVaccines

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