Routine Vaccines Can Cut Risk for Later Alzheimer Disease
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23, 2023 -- Prior vaccinations against tetanus and diphtheria, shingles, and pneumococcus are all associated with a reduced risk for developing Alzheimer disease, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
Kristofer Harris, from University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and colleagues compared the risk for developing Alzheimer disease between adults with and without prior vaccination against tetanus and diphtheria, with or without pertussis (Tdap/Td); herpes zoster; or pneumococcus. The analysis included data from adults aged 65 years and older at the start of the eight-year follow-up period.
The researchers found that receipt of the Tdap/Td (relative risk [RR], 0.70; absolute risk reduction [ARR], 0.03), herpes zoster (RR, 0.75; ARR, 0.02), and pneumococcal (RR, 0.73; ARR, 0.02) vaccines were associated with a reduced risk for developing Alzheimer disease.
"Adult vaccinations are widely available and are already routinely administered as part of a vaccination schedule," Harris said in a statement. "Our findings are a win for both Alzheimer's disease prevention research and for public health in general, as this is one more study demonstrating the value of vaccination."
One author disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted August 2023
Read this next
Preeclampsia Linked to Increased Risk for Young-Onset Dementia
FRIDAY, May 31, 2024 -- Individuals with preeclampsia have an increased risk for young-onset dementia, according to a research letter published online May 30 in JAMA Network...
Self-, Partner-Reported Cognitive Decline Linked to Tau
THURSDAY, May 30, 2024 -- Individuals who self-report and whose partners report cognitive decline have greater tau, which is driven by elevated beta-amyloid (Aβ), according...
At-School Vaccination Boosts HPV Vaccination Coverage
THURSDAY, May 30, 2024 -- At-school vaccination may be a useful tool to increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage among adolescents, according to a study published...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.