The shingles vaccine is mainly meant to protect against shingles, which is a painful disease caused by reactivation of the virus causing chicken pox. Recent studies indicate that there may be other health benefits to the vaccine, other than protection from shingles.
In a study published in Nature Medicine, it has been noted that individuals that were given the recombinant shingles vaccine known as Shingrix had a cardiovascular disease burden that was 9% lower over a seven-year period than those that were given the old live shingles vaccine known as Zostavax.
Lower levels of burden have been indicated in several cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, ischemic stroke in men, and atrial fibrillation.
Although promising, it has been noted by the researchers that the study was an observational one. This implies that it provides evidence of association and not that the vaccine is preventing cardiovascular disease.
What Did the Study Find?
Scientists studied the effects on cardiovascular health of 72,920 patients aged 60 or more. The scientists made use of the shift in the U.S. from the Zostavax to the Shingrix vaccine.
The first group of patients got the live shingles vaccine in the months preceding the switch in 2017, while the second group was vaccinated with the recombinant vaccine in 2018.
In about seven years of observation, patients receiving Shingrix had a 9% reduced burden of cardiovascular disease compared with those receiving Zostavax.
Scientists noticed some differences as well:
- A 10% lower burden of coronary heart disease
- A 12% lower burden of heart failure
- A 12% lower burden of ischemic stroke among men
- A 7% lower burden of atrial fibrillation
The difference in ischemic stroke was not statistically significant among women.
These findings add to growing interest in the relationship between infections, inflammation and cardiovascular health.
Why Could Shingles Be Connected to Heart Health?
Shingles is an illness where the virus responsible for chickenpox becomes active once more in the body. The reactivation of the virus may cause inflammation.
Inflammation is a component of the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. The condition could play a role in the modification of blood vessels and the processes that are related to cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis.
One of the potential explanations that were proposed by the researchers regarding the results of their study was the prevention of inflammation caused by shingles.
This is just one of the potential explanations.
It needs to be noted that the study does not show that Shingrix can be used as a treatment for cardiovascular disease or prevent someone from developing heart disease. This aspect of the study needs to be researched further.
Shingrix vs. Zostavax: What’s the Difference?
Shingrix and Zostavax are two different shingles vaccines.
The Zostavax vaccine was a live attenuated vaccine. It means that it used a live but weakened virus to stimulate the immune response. The Shingrix vaccine is a recombinant vaccine and includes a certain protein of the virus to help the immune system recognize and fight it.
The Shingrix vaccine showed more than 90% of effectiveness against shingles and gives more reliable protection compared to the Zostavax vaccine.
One more difference is in the doses schedule. The Zostavax vaccine was given in one dose, whereas the Shingrix vaccine requires two doses, usually separated by two to six months.
Moreover, the Zostavax vaccine has been withdrawn from the US market, whereas the Shingrix vaccine still serves as the main shingles vaccine in the USA.
Who Should Get the Shingles Vaccine?
The reason why anyone who has ever suffered from chickenpox is vulnerable to shingles is that the virus can stay dormant within the body for years. The risk is increased by age, especially for those who are over 50.
As stated on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people over 50 need to get vaccinated twice with Shingrix regardless of whether they had shingles or were vaccinated against shingles with an earlier vaccine.
In addition, according to the CDC, people over 19 who are currently or will become immunocompromised due to some disease or treatment procedure should be vaccinated with Shingrix.
That is why age and other factors should be considered while making the decision to get the vaccine.
What This Research Means for Older Adults
Thus, the findings serve as one more reason to consider vaccination an integral component of preventive medicine. Preventing oneself from the threat of the disease and its complications, people will give scientists time to find out if the vaccine has other positive effects on their well-being.
In particular, the connection of Shingrix with cardiovascular health seems especially relevant since heart disease is a serious problem for older patients.
However, the study should not be considered proof that the shingles vaccine is a substitute for traditional practices of protecting heart health. Managing blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, getting physical exercise, eating balanced meals, not smoking and seeking professional advice are important components of good heart health.
Conclusion
New evidence shows that there exists an association between Shingrix, which is a recombinant shingles vaccine, and reduced burden of cardiovascular diseases when compared with the older vaccine known as Zostavax. In this study, reduced burden of coronary heart disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation, as well as a reduced burden of ischemic stroke in men, was noted.
Inflammation could possibly provide an explanation for the link, but no cause-and-effect relationship has been demonstrated yet. Further research needs to be done to find out if the shingles vaccine could influence cardiovascular risk in any way.
Adults who are in line with the present vaccination guidelines can consult a health care provider regarding vaccination with Shingrix.
FAQs
A recent observational study found that people who received Shingrix had a lower cardiovascular disease burden than those who received Zostavax. However, the study does not prove that the vaccine directly prevents heart disease.
Shingrix provides more than 90% protection against shingles and is considered highly effective at preventing the condition and its complications.
The CDC recommends Shingrix for adults aged 50 and older and for adults aged 19 and older who are or will be immunocompromised because of a disease or treatment. A healthcare professional can help determine whether vaccination is appropriate for an individual.