August 26, 2026

Recombinant shingles vaccination and the risk of cardiovascular events

To protect against shingles which causes painful rashes to spread over the body, the recombinant Shingrix vaccine is available on the NHS for those turning 65, over 70, or with weakened immune systems. Aside from Shingrix being more effective than the previous live attenuated vaccine (Zostavax) at preventing shingles, previous studies have also shown an association between the Shingrix vaccine and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Although interesting, these studies have suffered from confounding due to healthy vaccinee bias (where healthier people more often choose to receive vaccines, clouding results).

This study, published in Nature Medicine has attempted to reduce this confounding by conducting a natural experiment through the transition from the Zostavax to the Shingrix vaccine in the USA. They then looked at incidence of heart disease, heart failure or stroke in patients immediately before and after the transition.

Journalists came along to this press briefing to hear directly from the authors of the study who discussed their results.

Speakers included:

Dr Maxime Taquet, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford

Dr Fabiana Corsi-Zuelli, Research Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford

Prof Betty Raman, Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford

This Briefing was accompanied by an SMC Roundup of comments.