Let’s be clear. The primary reason to be vaccinated against shingles is that two shots provide 90 percent protection against a painful, blistering disease that a third of Americans will suffer in their lifetimes ….
But other reasons for older people to be vaccinated are also emerging. …
The list of off-target benefits is lengthening as “the research has accumulated and accelerated over the last 10 years,” said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
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In 21 studies involving more than 104 million participants in Europe, Asia and North America, vaccination against shingles was associated with a 24 percent reduction in the risk of developing dementia. Flu vaccination was linked to a 13 percent reduction. Those vaccinated for pneumococcal infection had a 36 percent reduction in Alzheimer’s risk.
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Health officials in the Trump administration have assailed childhood vaccines more than adult ones, but their vocal opposition may be contributing to inadequate vaccination among older Americans, too.
Many will not only miss out on the emerging off-target benefits, but will remain vulnerable to the diseases the vaccines prevent or diminish.
