A study published in Nature Medicine on August 26, 2026, linked the Shingrix shingles vaccine to a 9% relative reduction in combined cardiovascular events among adults aged 60 and older. Researchers compared the newer vaccine against the older Zostavax, though the study does not establish that the vaccine directly prevents heart disease.
Shingrix Vaccine Links to Reduced Heart Disease Risk
The study, which tracked health records for tens of thousands of adults aged 60 and older, observed participants for seven years following their vaccination. Researchers found that those who received the newer Shingrix vaccine showed lower rates of specific heart-related issues compared to those who received the older Zostavax vaccine. Specifically, the data indicated a 10% lower risk of ischemic heart disease and a 12% lower risk of heart failure among the Shingrix group, according to findings reported in a study published in Nature Medicine.
While these figures reflect a 9% relative reduction in a combined measure of ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and ischemic stroke, the study authors emphasize that this does not mean the vaccine is a direct preventative treatment for heart conditions. The protective association was noted to be strongest during the initial three-and-a-half years following vaccination before gradually diminishing.
Observational Study Design Limits Vaccine Causation Claims
Experts caution that the findings are based on an observational study, not a randomized clinical trial, meaning the data cannot confirm that the vaccine itself caused the reduction in heart disease risks. A primary challenge in such research is that individuals who choose to be vaccinated may also maintain healthier lifestyles or have different baseline medical profiles than those who do not, making it difficult to isolate the vaccine’s specific impact.
Researchers noted that they accounted for 83 different factors when comparing the two groups, but because participants were not randomly assigned to receive one vaccine over the other, other unrecorded variables could still influence the results.
Current Vaccination Recommendations
Public health guidance remains unchanged by these findings. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend that adults aged 50 and older receive two doses of Shingrix to prevent shingles and its associated complications. The vaccine is also recommended for those aged 19 and older who have compromised immune systems due to disease or medical treatment.
Health officials emphasize that the potential cardiovascular benefit is not sufficient to alter existing vaccination recommendations, nor does the vaccine replace standard heart disease treatments or lifestyle measures like a balanced diet, physical activity, and smoking cessation. Some researchers involved in the study disclosed consulting relationships with the manufacturer, GSK, though the paper clarified that the company was not involved in the study's design or aware of it prior to its acceptance for publication.
Broader Links Between Vaccines and Chronic Disease
The study adds to a growing body of research exploring whether vaccines designed for infectious diseases might offer secondary benefits against chronic conditions. Recent reports have highlighted similar observational links between other vaccines—such as those for influenza, pneumococcal disease, and COVID-19—and reduced risks of dementia, heart disease, or certain cancers. In the case of the shingles vaccine, some scientists suggest that by preventing the inflammatory responses and changes in blood clotting associated with a shingles infection, the vaccine may indirectly protect cardiovascular health.
