Shingles vaccination linked to lower dementia risk

Receipt of the herpes zoster vaccine was associated with a 20% lower probability of a new dementia diagnosis during 7 years of follow-up, according to findings reported in a preprint that has yet to be peer reviewed. To provide causal vs. merely correlational evidence, researchers took advantage of the fact that in Wales eligibility for herpes zoster vaccination (with Zostavax) was determined based on an individual's exact date of birth. This allowed for a unique form of natural randomization.