New research suggests a routine vaccination could do more than protect against a painful virus; it might help slow the ageing process itself in older adults. A study published in 2026 indicates that the shingles jab is associated with significantly slower biological ageing in people aged 70 and over.
The Study: A Closer Look at Vaccination and Ageing
The investigation, led by Professor Jung Ki Kim, analysed data from the nationally representative U.S. Health and Retirement Study. It focused on more than 3,800 participants who were 70 or older in 2016, examining how the shingles vaccination affected key markers of biological ageing.
Even after accounting for other socio-demographic and health factors, the results were clear. Those who had received the shingles vaccine showed slower overall biological ageing on average compared to their unvaccinated peers.
Beyond Infection: How the Jab Impacts the Body
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus and leads to a painful, blistering rash. The vaccine is primarily offered to older adults to prevent this acute infection and its debilitating complication, postherpetic neuralgia.
However, this study adds to growing evidence that vaccines may have benefits far beyond their intended purpose. On average, vaccinated individuals in the study had 'significantly' lower inflammation measurements, slower epigenetic and transcriptomic ageing, and better composite biological ageing scores.
Professor Kim explained that chronic, low-level inflammation – often called 'inflammaging' – is a known driver of heart disease, frailty, and cognitive decline. 'By helping to reduce this background inflammation – possibly by preventing reactivation of the virus that causes shingles – the vaccine may play a role in supporting healthier ageing,' she said.
A New Frontier in Promoting Healthy Longevity
The findings, published in the Journal of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, offer fresh insight into how immune health interacts with the ageing process. While the exact biological mechanisms require further study, the potential is significant.
'This study adds to emerging evidence that vaccines could play a role in promoting healthy ageing by modulating biological systems beyond infection prevention,' Professor Kim stated. She emphasised that vaccination could become a promising part of broader strategies aimed at building resilience and slowing age-related decline.
This research builds on other recent studies hinting at a connection between adult vaccinations – including those for shingles and influenza – and a lower risk of dementia and neurodegenerative disorders.
