Shingles vaccination can drastically reduce the risk of dementia, according to a study. In Germany, an estimated 1.8 million people are currently living with the nerve disease.
Shingles (herpes zoster) is caused by the chickenpox virus. Since shingles can lead to chronic nerve pain, the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends vaccination, especially for older people – which is also intended to protect against dementia. If the herpes simplex virus and the varicella-zoster virus occur together, then the combination of both can trigger the formation of protein plaques typical of Alzheimer's.