Vaccine against shingles could slash heart attack risk by a fifth, study shows

People who have been vaccinated against shingles are a fifth less likely to have aheart attack, it has been revealed.

A global review has indicated there could be a dramatic cardiovascular effect from the vaccine against the varicella zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. The news comes just days after the NHS announced the expanded rollout of the shingles vaccine to immunocompromised adults in England.

The study, funded by drugmaker GSK, is the first to show the jab could reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack by 18% in all adults aged over 18.

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The Mirror is attending Europe’s biggest heart conference in Madrid which revealed the findings which experts believe could be down to preventing heart inflammation caused by the virus. Professor Filippo Crea, professor of Cardiology at the Catholic University in Rome and editor of the European Heart Journal, said: “These results support a growing body of evidence which indicates that vaccinations reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

“The reason for this benefit is that infections are inflammatory… and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Vaccinations reduce infection-related infectious burden and its detrimental effect on cardiovascular disease."

One in five people will get shingles which causes a painful rash. Complications can occur such as pain that lasts for several months, weakness on one side of your face, hearing problems and even sight loss if the rash occurs around the eye.

The findings presented at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual conference showed that adults aged over 18 who had received the herpes zoster vaccination were 18% less likely to go on to have a heart attack or stroke. When the review looked at studies of only over-50s it found a 16% reduced risk.

Previous research has established a link between the shingles virus and an increased risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke. Study author, Dr Charles Williams, Global Associate Medical Director at GSK, said: “We looked at the currently available evidence, and found that in this analysis, vaccination against herpes zoster was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes. Further research studies are now needed to find out whether this association can be attributed to an effect of herpes zoster vaccination.”

Nine studies were included in the review with eight being observational and just one randomised control trial. Professor Bryan Williams, chief scientific officer and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation, said that shingles can cause inflammation which can eventually lead to heart attacks and strokes.

He said: “There is great interest in studies suggesting the shingles vaccine may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, although this analysis is largely based on observational studies, which cannot demonstrate cause and effect. We know that shingles can cause inflammation in the body, and that inflammation is a culprit in many heart and circulatory conditions which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

“By preventing shingles, vaccination could therefore be protective. But far more research is needed, especially to understand the intriguing results in younger people.”

Professor Williams said more evidence was needed before the shingles vaccine is offered to the general population. Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. The infection typically lasts two to four weeks, and those with compromised immune systems are at risk of serious illness due to the virus.

From Monday any adult in England with a severely weakened immune system will be able to book a vaccination appointment through their GP surgery, including those with conditions such as leukaemia or lymphoma. This expands its NHS availability from the people who turned 65 from September 2023, people aged 70 to 79 who have not yet been vaccinated and people aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system.

Health Minister Ashley Dalton said: “Expanding shingles vaccination will protect even more people at greatest risk from this painful condition. This Government is committed to preventive healthcare and ensuring those who are most vulnerable receive the protection they need. I encourage all those eligible for the vaccine to come forward for their jab."