A recent study has found that the shingles vaccine may offer benefits beyond just preventing the disease. In addition to protecting older adults from herpes zoster (shingles), the vaccine may also help slow down biological ageing, supporting overall health in later life.
Shingles is a painful rash with blisters that appears when the chickenpox virus, which stays in the body after childhood, becomes active again. The risk of getting shingles increases as people grow older, especially after the age of 50.
Experts say that getting the shingles vaccine could have extra health benefits, such as improving the body’s ability to age more slowly and stay healthier. This makes vaccination an important step not only for preventing shingles but also for promoting healthier ageing in older adults.