Does the shingles vaccine reduce heart attacks and stroke?

What we’ve found so far points to a possible connection between receiving the shingles vaccine and reduced risk of these cardiovascular events, but we cannot say why this might be. The shingles vaccine is designed to prevent a viral infection caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Some researchers have wondered if the inflammation triggered by this virus might also affect blood vessels, and preventing the infection could indirectly help the heart and brain. But we did not analyze the biological mechanism — we only looked at the observed outcomes in the studies.

We also note that all 59 assertions come from observational data, meaning they track patterns in large groups over time, but they don’t prove the vaccine itself caused the lower rates. Other factors — like overall health habits, access to care, or other medical treatments — could also play a role. We did not find any studies that ruled out these possibilities.

Our current analysis shows a consistent pattern across many reports, but we cannot say the vaccine directly prevents heart attacks or strokes. The evidence we’ve reviewed leans toward a link, but more research would be needed to understand if and how the vaccine might influence cardiovascular health.

If you’re eligible for the shingles vaccine, this finding adds another reason to consider it — but it should not be the only reason. Talk with your doctor about your personal health risks and what’s right for you.