The Latest Medical News

A Summary of The Latest Medical News: # Shingles Vaccine Linked to Slower Biological Aging in Older Adults Recent research from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology reveals that the **shingles vaccine may do more than prevent illness**—it could also slow biological aging in older adults.[1] Using data from the nationally representative U.S. Health and Retirement Study, researchers examined more than 3,800 adults aged 70 and older and found that vaccinated individuals showed measurable signs of slower aging compared to their unvaccinated counterparts.[1] ## Key Biological Aging Markers Improved The study measured seven distinct aspects of biological aging, including inflammation, innate and adaptive immunity, cardiovascular function, neurodegeneration, epigenetic aging, and transcriptomic aging.[1] Vaccinated individuals demonstrated **significantly lower inflammation levels**, **slower epigenetic changes**, and **slower transcriptomic aging**—all of which contributed to a lower overall composite biological aging score.[2] These improvements are particularly noteworthy because chronic, low-level inflammation is a well-known driver of age-related diseases including heart disease, frailty, and cognitive decline, a phenomenon known as "inflammaging."[1] ## Lasting Benefits Beyond Initial Vaccination The potential benefits of the shingles vaccine appear to persist over time. Participants who received their vaccine four or more years before providing blood samples still exhibited slower biological aging markers compared to unvaccinated individuals, with improvements most pronounced within three years of vaccination.[1][4] ## Implications for Healthy Aging Strategies These findings add to growing evidence that **vaccines may play a broader role in promoting healthy aging** beyond their primary function of preventing acute illness.[5] Researchers hypothesize that by reducing background inflammation—possibly through preventing reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus—the vaccine may support healthier aging processes and help maintain resilience against age-related decline.[1] While further research using longitudinal and experimental designs is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and confirm these associations, the study suggests that vaccination strategies could become an important component of comprehensive approaches to aging well.[1] Help with your insurance? https://tally.so/r/n012P9