Unexpected Vaccine Side Effects That Boost Long-Term Health Benefits

I’m currently booking my shingles vaccination appointment. Having had shingles in college, I still bear the scars and want to avoid a recurrence. However, I understand that the shingles vaccine offers benefits beyond just shingles prevention. This is increasingly relevant; many vaccines are showing advantages that extend far beyond shielding against specific viruses or bacteria, a fact that’s lesser-known but crucial.

Starting with shingles, a study involving over 1 million individuals highlighted that those who received the Zostavax shingles vaccine experienced a 26% lower risk of dying from heart disease or suffering a stroke, heart attack, or heart failure over an average span of six years post-vaccination. This is a significant risk reduction through a simple and affordable intervention.

Additionally, recipients of the new shingles vaccine, Shingrix, were found to be 17 times less likely to develop dementia in the following six years compared to those inoculated with Zostavax. The overall risk reduction with Shingrix may be even more substantial, given that some studies suggest Zostavax also contributes to a decrease in dementia risk. Other vaccines, including those against influenza and tuberculosis, show similar protective benefits, with research indicating they may help lower dementia risk as well.

In both the US and Australia, shingles vaccination is advised for adults over 50 or anyone with weakened immune systems. In the UK, access is limited to public healthcare providers unless you fall under certain categories, such as people aged 70 to 79. Considering my age, I’ve opted for private vaccination to avoid the wait.

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus; initially causing chickenpox, it then remains dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate to cause shingles. Vaccinating children against chickenpox may offer benefits in adulthood, yet concrete studies on this are scarce.

The influenza vaccine also boasts cardiovascular advantages. Data compiled from over 9,000 participants in six trials indicated that flu vaccine recipients had a 34% reduced risk of heart attack or stroke within a year, with an even greater effect observed among individuals with recent heart issues.

Furthermore, a new vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also seems to contribute to heart disease prevention—an extensive study involving around 130,000 people over 60 revealed that those who received certain RSV vaccines had lower hospitalization rates for heart and lung issues compared to their unvaccinated counterparts.

The mRNA COVID-19 vaccine has additionally been shown to enhance immune responses in conjunction with immunotherapy, consequently prolonging life expectancy for some individuals.

While we could continue listing various examples, the focus should shift to understanding why so many vaccines possess such widespread benefits. While the exact mechanisms aren’t entirely known, they’re not entirely surprising.

Viral infections can cause lasting physical damage to the body and the immune response can also lead to tissue damage. Severe immune reactions, like cytokine storms, often lead to fatalities in infections such as influenza and COVID-19. Growing research indicates that the immune response to infections, like the Epstein-Barr virus, may contribute to conditions like multiple sclerosis.

Various viruses adopt different strategies to evade our immune system and compromise our natural defenses. HIV exemplifies this extreme by obliterating the immune system entirely.

Some viruses, like varicella-zoster, cannot be eliminated post-infection, while others, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), can integrate their genome into our cells, leading to cancer.

Even viral infections commonly perceived as benign, such as influenza in youth, can have undetected long-term effects. Ongoing research into long-term coronavirus implications has highlighted the importance of vaccines in preventing lasting harm.

Some advocate the notion that “natural immunity” gained from infection is superior to vaccination. This perspective can be misleading, especially when considering diseases like measles, which exemplify the critical need for vaccination.

Due to the measles vaccine, deaths from measles have plummeted from over 2 million annually before 1980 to under 100,000 in 2024, while simultaneously reducing childhood mortality from other infectious diseases.

This vaccine holds significance because measles can damage immune cells, increasing vulnerability to other infections for years. Moreover, measles vaccines appear to enhance the immune system’s capability, a phenomenon so beneficial that many argue: continued vaccination against measles remains vital, even if the disease is eradicated.

However, it’s essential to note that not all vaccines possess this training capability. Some might be ineffective, yet they continue to save lives.

Ultimately, the pressing question remains: is getting vaccinated more advantageous than not? Making an informed decision requires weighing the risks of infection against vaccination risks, while also considering the broader benefits of immunization. Too often, the conversation centers on exceedingly rare or unfounded side effects of vaccines.

I firmly believe in the positive outcomes of vaccination. I consistently receive the shingles vaccine and flu vaccination annually, and I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to get the RSV vaccine once available.