Shingles Vaccine Linked to Slower Aging in Study of 3,800

Scientists at the University of Southern California have discovered something remarkable about a common vaccine that millions of older adults already receive.

In a study of more than 3,800 Americans age 70 and older, researchers found that those who got the shingles vaccine showed signs of slower biological aging compared to those who skipped it. The difference showed up in blood tests measuring inflammation and changes in gene activity.

The findings suggest the vaccine does something beyond preventing shingles, the painful rash caused when the chickenpox virus reactivates later in life. It appears to calm down chronic, low-grade inflammation that scientists call "inflammaging."

This persistent inflammation contributes to heart disease, frailty, and cognitive decline as we get older. By potentially reducing this background inflammation, the vaccine may help keep our bodies functioning better for longer.

Jung Ki Kim, the study's lead researcher, explained that biological age measures how well your body's systems work, not just how many years you've lived. Two 65-year-olds can have very different biological profiles, with one resembling someone much younger.

The research team looked at seven different markers of aging, including inflammation levels, immune system function, blood flow, and changes in how genes behave. Vaccinated participants scored better across nearly all these measures.

The Bright Side

The protective effects appear to last for years. People who received their shingles vaccine four or more years before giving blood samples still showed slower biological aging than unvaccinated individuals.

This adds to growing evidence that vaccines might offer benefits beyond preventing the diseases they target. Earlier studies have linked adult vaccines, including flu and shingles shots, to lower risks of dementia and other brain-related conditions.

The shingles vaccine is already recommended for adults over 50, especially since the risk of developing shingles rises significantly with age. Anyone who's had chickenpox carries the virus that causes shingles.

Researchers say more studies are needed to confirm these findings and understand exactly how the vaccine influences aging. But the results offer hope that a simple shot many people already get could support healthier aging in multiple ways.

The study was published in the Journals of Gerontology and funded by the National Institute on Aging.