A STUDY involving more than a million people has found that getting the live herpes zoster vaccine is linked with a reduced risk of heart conditions for up to eight years.
South Korean researchers compared rates of cardiovascular conditions among 1.3 million vaccinated and unvaccinated people aged over 50 without a history of cardiovascular disease.
The live shingles vaccine was linked to an overall 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events, such as stroke and heart failure, especially in the first two to three years after vaccination, with effects lasting up to eight years.
Men, people under the age of 60, those with unhealthy lifestyles, such as smoking, drinking alcohol and being inactive, and people from low income or rural households were among those experiencing a greater drop in risk.
In terms of specific conditions, there was a 26% lower risk of major cardiovascular events (stroke, heart attack or death from heart disease), a 26% lower risk of heart failure and a 22% lower risk of coronary heart disease.
The research follows large studies finding that the live zoster vaccine helped prevent dementia (PD 29 Apr), and the authors said the vaccine has health benefits beyond shingles prevention and could be an important public health tool to reduce cardiovascular disease and health disparities.
"Our study suggests that the shingles vaccine may help lower the risk of heart disease, even in people without known risk factors," said Professor Dong Keon Yon from the Kyung Hee University College of Medicine.
"There are several reasons why the shingles vaccine may help reduce heart disease," Professor Yon continued.
"A shingles infection can cause blood vessel damage, inflammation and clot formation that can lead to heart disease, and by preventing shingles, vaccination may lower these risks."
The vaccine was a live attenuated zoster vaccine (Zostavax or similar), but in many countries, including Australia, the live vaccine is now being replaced with a non-live recombinant vaccine (Shingrix), so it is not clear whether the same results would be achieved.
Professor Yon said research on the recombinant vaccine is needed.
Read the study HERE. KB
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 06 May 25
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 06 May 25
