Vaccines aren’t just about preventing infections; emerging research reveals they can offer surprisingly broad health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease, dementia, and even cancer. This is a critical consideration as public health policies and individual choices are increasingly influenced by vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
The Shingles Vaccine and Cardiovascular Health
Recent studies demonstrate that the shingles vaccine, specifically Zostavax, reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, heart attack, and heart failure by 26% over six years. Newer formulations like Shingrix show even more promise, with a 17% lower risk of dementia compared to Zostavax. These findings highlight a key point: vaccines can have systemic effects extending far beyond their intended purpose.
Flu and RSV Vaccines: Protecting the Heart
The benefits aren’t limited to shingles. Flu vaccines have been linked to a 34% lower risk of heart attack or stroke in vaccinated individuals, particularly those with pre-existing heart conditions. Similarly, RSV vaccines in adults over 60 show a reduction in hospitalizations for both heart and lung problems. This suggests that vaccination may provide broader cardiovascular protection, a factor often overlooked in public health discussions.
COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines and Cancer Immunotherapy
The mRNA vaccines developed for COVID-19 have unexpectedly shown potential in boosting the immune response to tumors when combined with immunotherapy, extending patients’ lives. This unexpected benefit underscores the potential for vaccines to be repurposed or adapted for entirely different medical applications.
Why Vaccines Have Wider Benefits
The underlying mechanisms are complex, but viruses can cause lasting damage to the body, and immune responses to them can also harm tissues. The immune system’s reaction to infections can be as dangerous as the infections themselves, with cytokine storms often proving fatal in cases like severe flu or COVID-19. Chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis may even be linked to immune responses to viruses like Epstein-Barr.
Viruses also weaken immune defenses and some, like HPV, genetically modify cells, contributing to cancer. These interactions explain why vaccines can offer broader protection beyond preventing the initial infection.
The Case for Measles Vaccination
Measles vaccines have dramatically reduced deaths from the disease, from over 2 million annually before 1980 to under 100,000 in 2024. They have also unexpectedly reduced deaths from other infectious diseases, possibly because measles weakens the immune system, leaving children vulnerable for years. However, the measles vaccine may also “train” the immune system, boosting its overall effectiveness – so much so that some suggest continued vaccination even in the absence of measles outbreaks.
The Bigger Picture
The question isn’t just whether vaccines prevent disease; it’s whether they improve overall health outcomes. The evidence suggests they do, and focusing solely on rare or imaginary adverse effects obscures the real benefits. For anyone weighing the risks, the data clearly favors vaccination for long-term health.
Getting a shingles vaccine, a yearly flu shot, and the RSV vaccine when available is a sensible approach to maximizing health protection. The science is clear: vaccines do more than just prevent infections; they improve lives.
