SAIL data reveals link between shingles vaccine and reduced dementia risk

Researchers have discovered compelling evidence for the impact of the shingles vaccine on reducing risk of developing dementia, using data from the world-renowned SAIL databank, which is funded by Health and Care Research Wales.

Published in Nature, the research by Markus Eyting, Min Xie, Felix Michalik and colleagues at Stanford University tracked over 280,000 adults in Wales using anonymised health records within SAIL. The findings revealed that individuals who received Zostavax, a now-discontinued shingles vaccine, were around 20% less likely to be diagnosed with dementia.

This research was made possible by a unique feature of Welsh public health policy. When the Zostavax vaccine was introduced in 2013, eligibility was based strictly on date of birth. People born on or after 2 September 1933 were offered the vaccine, while those just a day older were not, creating two clear groups for comparison.

Researchers observed a striking difference between these groups. Not only did the vaccinated group show a significantly lower incidence of dementia, but the protective effect was also found to be more pronounced in women.

With more than 45,000 people currently living with dementia in Wales, and projections estimating that number will more than double by 2055, these findings could open up promising new avenues for prevention.

Professor David Ford, Co-director of SAIL Databank, added: 

“SAIL Databank has evolved into a world-class, internationally acclaimed research resource that is an integral part of Wales’ national informatics infrastructure and a recognised innovation leader across the UK. Its trusted, robust and agile Trusted Research Environment supports high-impact research across health, administrative and social data, and continues to support vital work like this.”

Pascal Geldsetzer, senior author and research group lead for this work, commented: 

If this is truly a causal effect, then the implications for population health, dementia care, and research into dementia would be immense. This research would have been impossible without the rich and highly detailed data of the SAIL Databank. Our work clearly shows that important discoveries can be made if routinely collected data is made available to researchers.”

The study not only highlights the potential of vaccines in preventing chronic neurological conditions but also underscores the critical role of trusted, secure health data in enabling world-class research.

Read the full research article here.

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