DMW - Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift · Feb 2026
Zoster vaccination substantially reduces dementia risk
Welsh vaccination policy unintentionally created almost perfect conditions for testing whether shingles vaccination reduces the risk of dementia—and the results are remarkably clear. Among the more than 280 000 older adults, 20 % fewer vaccinated individuals developed dementia than unvaccinated individuals during the seven-year follow-up period. The protective effect was independent of known risk factors and was also evident in people with preexisting dementia in the form of slowed disease progression. The association was particularly strong in women. The authors recommend randomized trials to further investigate the observed effects. [Nu] Publication History Article published online: 09 February 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany