Vaccines reduce the risk of dementia

New research conducted with the support of the Oxford Biomedical Research Center confirms a possible link between RSV vaccination and a reduced risk of dementia. Scientists studied the medical data of more than 430,000 people in the US using the TriNetX network database and found that Arexvy, a vaccine designed to protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes cold-like symptoms, is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of developing dementia.

Arexvy, recommended for people over 60, contains the same adjuvant as the Shingrix vaccine for shingles. Both vaccines showed the same effectiveness in reducing the risk of dementia compared to the flu vaccine, which does not contain an adjuvant. Within 18 months of receiving Arexvy, the rate of new dementia diagnoses was 29% lower. These findings were confirmed in a number of additional analyses and were equally true for both men and women.

The exact mechanism by which the adjuvant, called AS01, may reduce the risk of dementia remains unknown. However, laboratory data suggest that AS01 activates certain immune cells that can protect the brain from the damaging processes associated with the development of dementia. At the same time, the potential benefit of the adjuvant in reducing the risk of dementia may complement the protective effect of the vaccination itself against infections such as RSV and herpes zoster. It is unclear whether these vaccines can completely prevent the development of dementia or, more likely, only delay its onset. Nevertheless, even a delay is significant, especially given that there are currently no other proven ways to slow or prevent this disease.

In addition to potentially reducing the risk of dementia, the vaccines also provide effective protection against shingles and respiratory syncytial virus, diseases that can be not only extremely unpleasant but also pose a serious health risk.

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Published: 03.07.2025

Updated: 06.07.2025

Medical author, Medical editor:

Stepan Yuk

Medical expert:

PhD. Olexandr Voznyak