Serendipitous Benefit of Shingles Vaccine

By Wayne Persky

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A recent study published in the European Heart Journal, reveals that receiving a shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine may significantly reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events, including stroke, heart failure, and coronary heart disease, by as much as 23% (Lee, et al., 2025).1 The protective effect of the vaccine was found to last up to eight years, making it a potential game-changer, not just for preventing shingles, but also for reducing heart-related illness and death.

The research was conducted by Professor Dong Keon Yon and colleagues at Kyung Hee University in South Korea. The massive population-based study followed more than 1.2 million people over a median of six years. Using national insurance and health records, the researchers tracked vaccine status and health outcomes. They found that individuals who received the live zoster vaccine experienced a:

• 23% lower risk of any cardiovascular event
• 26% lower risk of major cardiovascular events (stroke, heart attack, or heart disease-related death)
• 26% lower risk of heart failure
• 22% lower risk of coronary heart disease

The study is the first of its kind to evaluate 18 different types of cardiovascular disease outcomes following shingles vaccination. The benefit was strongest during the first 2–3 years following vaccination, although the protective effect lasted for up to eight years.​

The vaccine’s cardiovascular protective effects were even more pronounced in younger individuals (under 60), men, and those with unhealthy lifestyles (such as smokers, drinkers, and physically inactive individuals). The findings were also significant among rural and low-income populations, suggesting the vaccine could help reduce health disparities.

Although this study doesn't establish a direct causal link, the researchers propose that preventing shingles — an infection known to trigger inflammation, blood vessel damage, and clot formation, may help reduce downstream cardiovascular risk. Vaccination likely prevents these inflammatory episodes, helping to maintain vascular health over time.​

These findings suggest the shingles vaccine could become a dual-purpose public health tool, especially for populations at risk for both shingles and cardiovascular disease. However, the study focused on the live zoster vaccine, which is gradually being replaced in many countries by the non-live recombinant shingles vaccine. Future research will be needed to assess whether similar cardiovascular benefits extend to the recombinant version.

The take away:

Shingles vaccination may protect more than just your skin. It may help protect your heart. As countries consider expanding vaccine recommendations, this study provides strong evidence that shingles vaccines could play a broader role in chronic disease prevention, particularly for vulnerable or high-risk populations.

Reference

1. Lee, S., Lee, K., Oh, J., Kim, H. J., Son, Y., Kim, S., . . . Yon, D. K. (2025). Live zoster vaccination and cardiovascular outcomes: a nationwide, South Korean study, European Heart Journal, ehaf230, Retrieved from https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf230/8124786