People in Wales aged 70 and older who got the shingles shot were 28% less likely to be diagnosed with dementia over the next six years — but that doesn’t mean the vaccine prevents dementia, just that the two seem to be linked in some way.

People in their late 70s who got the shingles shot were 20% less likely to develop dementia over the next seven years compared to those who didn’t get it — that’s about 3.5 fewer cases of dementia per 100 people.

People 65 and older who got the newer shingles shot lived about 164 extra days without being diagnosed with dementia over six years compared to those who got the older shingles shot—suggesting the newer shot might help delay dementia, at least a little.

Getting the shingles shot might help lower your risk of dementia—even if you still get shingles afterward—suggesting the vaccine protects your brain in ways beyond just preventing the rash.

Older adults who got the newer shingles shot lived about 164 more days without getting dementia over six years than those who got the older shingles shot—suggesting the newer shot might help protect the brain a bit better.

Getting the shingles shot might help keep your memory sharper for a little while—like pushing back dementia by a year or two—but it doesn’t stop it for good.