Reduced dementia incidence after varicella zoster vaccination in Wales 2013-2020

Christian Schnier*, Janet Janbek, Richard Lathe, Jürgen Haas

*Corresponding author for this work
30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic infection with herpes viruses is a potential contributing factor to the development of dementia. The introduction of nationwide shingles (varicella zoster) vaccination in Wales might therefore be associated with reduced incident dementia.

Methods: We analyzed the association of shingles vaccination with incident dementia in Wales between 2013 and 2020 using retrospectively collected national health data.

Results: Vaccinated individuals were at reduced risk of dementia (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.72; 95% confidence interval: 0.69 to 0.75). The association was not modified by a reduction in shingles diagnosis and was stronger for vascular dementia than for Alzheimer's disease. Vaccination was also associated with a reduction in several other diseases and all-cause mortality.

Discussion: Our study shows a clear association of shingles vaccination with reduced dementia, consistent with other observational cohort studies. The association may reflect selection bias with people choosing to be vaccinated having a higher healthy life expectancy.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere12293
JournalAlzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions
Volume8
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)1-7
Number of pages7
ISSN2352-8737
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

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