Posted on 08/01/2024 8:01:34 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
A study of more than 200,000 people by researchers found at least a 17% reduction in dementia diagnoses in the six years after the new recombinant shingles vaccination, equating to 164 or more additional days lived without dementia.
The benefit was seen in both sexes but was greater in women, and the findings suggest that the recombinant shingles vaccine may have additional value in terms of protection against dementia.
Shingles is a painful and serious condition afflicting many elderly people. It is caused by the Herpes zoster virus that can flare up in people who previously had chicken pox. After the introduction of a vaccine against shingles (Zostavax) in 2006, several studies have suggested that the risk of dementia might be lower in people who had received the vaccine, although results were not conclusive.
In many countries, Zostavax has now been withdrawn and replaced by a much more effective vaccine (Shingrix).
In the study, researchers used the U.S. TriNetX electronic health records network. In the U.S., there was a switchover between Zostavax and Shingrix in October 2017. This allowed the researchers to compare the risk of dementia in the six years following Shingrix compared to otherwise similar people who had received Zostavax. More than 100,000 people were in each group. Shingrix was also compared to people who had received vaccines against other infections (flu and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis).
Shingrix was associated with 17% lower risk of dementia than Zostavax, and 23–27% less than with the other vaccines. This equates to 5–9 more months lived without dementia for those who had been given the Shingrix vaccine compared to the other vaccines. The beneficial effects were present in both sexes but greater in women than in men.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
She was a very godly woman and handled it the best she could.
I do believe such a vaccine can be helpful.
Mine flared up in my eye. Very frightening.
Did antivirals help there?
Thanks. At almost 77, and having outlived everyone else in my family, I’ll take the chance of dementia.
I know folks who've had serious cases, all long before the shingrix version, and many worried about where the progression would end. Discomfortable hardly covers the more severe cases.
Regarding dimentia, what about the possiblity of cross-immunity, conferred via the shingrix vax, among the various herpesviruses?
At a time when some say that all vaccines are bad, there's this important observation.
“Did antivirals help there?”
The antiviral worked good.
I had to take 4 medications. One was to treat complications caused by another.
Wow, I can’t imagine shingles in the eye. Was it actually in the eyeball or surrounding your eye?
I had one small patch flare-up of shingles decades ago and it was awful. I think I got the first vaccine, then Shingrix not long after it was introduced (but maybe I’m confusing that with the change-over in pneumonia vaccines).
“Was it actually in the eyeball or surrounding your eye?”
In the eye. Increasing tunnel vision and sensitivity to light.
Started on a Saturday. Sunday my wife drove the 350 miles back home. At the GP office when they opened up.
He got me right in. On seeing me he called an Ophthalmologist to check if they had the drugs needed. Thirty minutes later I was being treated.
My uncle had very bad shingles. After seeing what he went through (even had them on the top of his head) I got the vaccine. Not taking chances. My sister has had shingles a few times, not bad, but still.
Wow. Glad you’re ok. It’s amazing how these things can pop up out of the blue like that. Did they find a cause?
I was going on a hike a week ago Tuesday and hit the wall at 1/4 mile. Something was really wrong — extreme fatigue and out of breath. Figured it was just the 81 degree temp. Tried again on Weds and it was even worse, so I went right to the ER and got treated right away. CAT Scan found pulmonary embolism! Never in my wildest dreams did I think that would hit me. Doc said was probably a “provoked” case caused by COVID last April. Got meds and I am back to hiking without any problems. Did 5 miles and 600 foot climb today in 80 degree temps no problem Just turned 73 yesterday, too.
I’m done with all vaccines.
Glad you’re ok.
Ditto.
My mom had it 3 or 4 times. Came close to her eye once. I got the vaccine years ago. I started having terrible chills and thought I was going to fall over hours after the second dose. I didn’t get chicken pox until I was a teenager because someone with it came back to school too early. I didn’t want to go through what my Mom did so I got the vaccine.
I’m allergic to Shingrix. Very badly, so I can’t take any shingles vaccines.
Did you lose any eyesight?
For locations to appear, that’s as sensitive a place as can be. I am sorry you had that happen, but glad it was quickly diagnosed.
Thank you for sharing that.
Happy Birthday and glad you’re recovered!
The most popular hiking hill/trail we have here is 600 feel elevation gain in exactly one mile. It is reasonably steep for casual walkers.
Won’t be many climbing it in the 108°F forecast for tomorrow afternoon!
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