Shingles Vaccine Linked to Lower Risk of Heart Disease for 7 Years

Shingles vaccination with the recombinant vaccine was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than the discontinued live attenuated vaccine among adults older than 60, with differences persisting for seven years.

Among 72,920 vaccinated adults, recombinant vaccine recipients had 10% lower risk of ischemic heart disease, 12% lower risk of heart failure and 7% lower risk of atrial fibrillation; men also had a 12% lower risk of ischemic stroke.

Researchers used electronic health records to compare similarly sized groups receiving each vaccine. The findings suggest potential cardiovascular benefits of Shingrix, though mechanisms and effects require confirmation in clinical trials. Read more from CIDRAP here.