Another reason to get those shingles and RSV vaccines

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https://www.nature.com/articles/s41541-025-01172-3

Lower risk of dementia with AS01-adjuvanted vaccination against shingles and respiratory syncytial virus infections

AS01-adjuvanted shingles (herpes zoster) vaccination is associated with a lower risk of dementia, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. In propensity-score matched cohort studies with 436,788 individuals, both the AS01-adjuvanted shingles and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines, individually or combined, were associated with reduced 18-month risk of dementia. No difference was observed between the two AS01-adjuvanted vaccines, suggesting that the AS01 adjuvant itself plays a direct role in lowering dementia risk.

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I wonder if the study matched the incomes of the the recipients of the vaccines and the controls.

The shingles vaccine is expensive. I paid out of pocket – over $400 for the two shots. A person has to be both educated enough to be determined to be vaccinated voluntarily and able to afford the vaccine. Both of these factors are correlated with lower dementia risk.

This is similar to the finding (in the U.S.) that consuming walnuts daily is correlated with longer life. Walnuts are expensive so the poor can’t afford this luxury. The correlation didn’t hold true in Denmark which has nationalized health care.

Wendy

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I did not see income mentioned in the linked article.

Looking at these two studies, I think it should have been.

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We’ve been watching, waiting on these shots, I think Costco was cheapest at $275, but over $300 at our local pharmacy… so near $1200 for the wife & I… We had the old shots, way back, I think this were also out of pocket, but under $200… Also had Shingles way back, so some natural immunity, hopefully… But it’s on our list…

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Here in Shiny-land. we need to always wonder what caused a “study” to be done. Recently, the “news” was atwitter about a new “study” that showed milk may be better for hydrating a person than water. Was the “study” paid for by the milk producers? Over the past year, I have questioned the frequent “studies” that claim to show GLP-1s to be useful against a wide range of illnesses and conditions. Is this paid propaganda? This is what Shiny-land has sunk to.

Steve

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When did you get the shingles vaccine? They are included in the Labor Dept’s list of recommended preventative care items.It should have been “cost free” to you.

{{

Medicare drug coverage (Part D) covers the shingles shot (not Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)
or Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance))
.

People with Part D usually pay nothing out of pocket for the shingles shot.

Part D covers all adult vaccines that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends, including the vaccines for shingles, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), whooping cough, measles, and more. Your Part D plan won’t charge you a copayment or apply a deductible for vaccines ACIP recommends. }}

intercst

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My ACA coverage paid for the shingles shot.

Interestingly, I just started volunteering at our local hospital. They made me undergo a background check and I had to submit to bloodwork tests, and had to show vaccination records for a variety of diseases. The blood titres indicated that my measles antibodies weren’t high enough for their liking, so they gave me an MMR shot, as well as a TDAP shot, since I hadn’t had a tetanus booster in over 10 years. All blood tests and immunizations at their cost. If I hadn’t already had the shingles shot, they would have provided that too, along with pneumonia, flu and COVID boosters.

It pays to volunteer!

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They are free now. When I got my first one I paid, but the second one was free.

DB2

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I got the Shingrix shot as soon as I became eligible age-wise – age 60 in 2013. This was before it was covered by insurance and obviously I was too young for Medicare.

But I knew 6 people who had suffered from shingles, including DH and a friend who almost lost her eyesight. So I felt that the money was well-spent as insurance. After all, vaccinations are a form of insurance against the likelihood of disease just as regular insurance helps mitigate the impact of various types of disasters. Of which I have had several.

Wendy

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@WendyBG Exactly the correct analysis.

Crux fact is almost everyone on METAR and our age cohort already have shingles (did you have chicken pox? welcome to having varicella-zoster virus), but for most of you your immune system has had it under control since your childhood chickenpox bout. As you age and your immune system fades while also getting challenged ever more, the virus bites you and can be extremely nasty. Researchers report that autopsies often show internal varicella blistering and contortions in persons who reported no external illness….

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My wife came down with shingles shortly after receiving het first set of COVID shots (and we got the COVID shots very early on because we were willing to wait for “leftover shots”*) In fact, my wife blames the COVID shot for triggering the shingles. Anyway, as soon as she came down with it, I went for my first shingrix shot, and then 4 months later for my second. There is no recollection by my parents of me ever having chickenpox as a kid.

* At some of the local parks, the state had setup vaccination centers that handled hundreds or even thousands a day. At the vaccination center, they defrosted the vials as needed for the number of people with appointments and number of people checked in as their car passed the first checkpoint (usually 30 to 75 minute wait between first checkpoint and actual shot in the arm). Each vial could produce shots for 40+ people, so at the end of the day, when the line of cars ended, they had “leftovers” and would grab anyone in the vicinity who was willing to take the shot. So we would arrive near the end of the day and wait around until the end when they were grabbing people to use the remaining vaccine on. After you received a “leftover” shot, they would schedule you for your second shot in exactly 21 days.

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I had a case of shingles about 25 years ago, but it was mild enough that it wasn’t worth a $400 vaccination to me.

Once the vaccinations were free (under Obamacare), I was a buyer.

Minimizing the skim.

intercst

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You’re lucky my brother came down with shingles a week before his appointment to get the vaccine. He will have to have a corneal transplant at sometime. He’s putting it off as long as he can to stay of anti-rejection drugs.

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My case of shingles was just above my belt line, on one side of my abdomen. I had a bit of difficulty sleeping for 2 or 3 weeks, but that’s about it.

I’m aware that it’s possible to get it on your face and in the eyes (David Letterman had it in the eye and it kept him off TV for about a month), but I wonder how often that happens? You’re far more likely to get a mild case like mine.

It’s just a matter of risk management, $400 seemed to be too much for my risk, maybe I would have got one if it was $40, I’m definitely a “buyer” if it’s “free”.

intercst

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@intercst you are one lucky guy.

My father used to say, “Murphy was an optimist.” In my life that has turned out to be true. My insurance payments have not been “skim” since I have had repeated setbacks (fire, illness, tree falling through my garage, etc.) and the insurance was very useful. If I hadn’t paid for the shingles vaccine I’m sure I would have suffered shingles – the very painful type DH did.

I hope your luck holds as firmly as your confidence.
Wendy

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I personally think it likely that many people have a case of shingles at some point, but it’s so mild that it’s never diagnosed.

So, I asked ChatGPT.
{. "Yes, it is possible to have shingles (herpes zoster) and not realize it, especially in mild or atypical cases. However, this is relatively uncommon, as shingles usually causes noticeable symptoms. Here are a few ways someone might have shingles without recognizing it:

  1. Mild Symptoms

Some people have only mild pain or itching without the classic rash.

The rash may be small, hidden (like on the scalp or buttocks), or mistaken for another skin condition like eczema, contact dermatitis, or bug bites.

  1. No Rash (Zoster Sine Herpete)

A rare condition called zoster sine herpete involves shingles symptoms (like nerve pain or tingling) without any rash.

This can easily be misdiagnosed as back pain, sciatica, dental pain, or other nerve-related issues.

  1. Confusion with Other Illnesses

Early symptoms of shingles, such as headache, fatigue, or sensitivity to light, can mimic other viral infections.

People sometimes attribute the pain to muscle strain or arthritis, especially if it’s in the chest or back.

  1. Immunocompromised Individuals

People with weakened immune systems may have unusual or muted symptoms that are harder to detect.

When to Suspect Shingles:

Localized pain, tingling, or burning in a band-like pattern on one side of the body.

Red rash or fluid-filled blisters that follow the pain, typically not crossing the midline.

Pain that persists or worsens without a clear cause.

If someone suspects shingles — even without a rash — it’s worth talking to a doctor. Early antiviral treatment (within 72 hours of rash onset) can shorten the course and reduce the risk of complications like postherpetic neuralgia.". }

I learned this: No Rash (Zoster Sine Herpete).

But, it and the too mild, and mis diagnosed… All support “lots of folks have a shingles outbreak n don’t realize it”.

Like many “diseases”, if it don’t fit the standard symptoms, it ain’t “x”.

Medical treatments that include “immunosuppressant” (such as chemotherapy) often result in a shingles outbreak.

:taurus:
ralph

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My case, ages ago now, was caught/diagnosed bt my opthamalogist, I’d gone to see him thinking I had something in may, dust, whatever. But what he saw were blisters under my R eyelid, and once he saw that, also noticed other small blisters in that upper R quadrant of my face. Sent right over, to the Dermatologist, who confirmed it was indeed shingles, and got me onto an antiviral medicine, Acyclovir, right away, :make sure if it get near the tip of your nose you get to the Doc, immediately!" It didn’t wasn’t particularly painful, but did cause some temporary drooping on that part of my face… Went back to work, and it ran it’s course…

As I was dealing with my case, I saw my Internal Med Doc, now retired, he told me he had lost a patient to shingles, he’d had it on his abdomen, and none of the pain killers helped at all, the only thing that helped was heavy acohol use, and that’s what did him in..

My wife, other friends have had it over the years, some pretty uncomfortable, as in even clothing made it worse, but all survived…

I haven’t found that the costs are covered for us, either Medicare or our UHC coverage… Pharmacist said she thought it was covered, so we’ll see once we make the appointments… It won’t break the bank, just one more bill to pay… Can’t take it with us in any case, so being safe is more important than whatever the costs might be…

weco

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@wecoguy
Another big symptom for some, and VERY much for me, is physical exhaustion. My immune system goes into overdrive to control the infection and this can be sufficiently severe as tom make me feel as a pile of wet painful sludge.

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I got my free shingles shots at Kaiser. The second shot was more painful than the first.

I understand that new research shows the shingles shots are effective for reducing dementia risk.

Lower risk of dementia with AS01-adjuvanted vaccination against shingles and respiratory syncytial virus infections:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41541-025-01172-3

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