Health · Public Health & Disease · 9 hrs ago
Shingles vaccine bookings rise as some seek possible dementia protection
Bookings for shingles vaccinations have risen at Boots and Superdrug in Britain.
Some people are getting the shots partly because studies suggest they might reduce the risk of dementia.
Those studies do not prove the vaccine prevents dementia, and estimates of any possible benefit vary.
The vaccine is approved to prevent shingles, a painful rash caused when the chickenpox virus becomes active again.
In Britain, it is free on the NHS for some people, while most people under 65 pay about £450 for two doses.
Nearly 60 million people worldwide live with dementia, and that number is projected to exceed 100 million by 2040.
Researchers continue to study the possible link, but the vaccine is not approved as a dementia treatment.
Bookings for shingles vaccinations have risen sharply at Boots and Superdrug, with some customers saying they hope the vaccine may also reduce their risk of dementia.
Studies suggest a possible protective effect against dementia but do not prove that the vaccine prevents it.
Scientists have reported reductions in dementia risk of as much as 20%, with the strongest effects in women.
The vaccine is approved for preventing shingles, not dementia.
The NHS provides the vaccine free to some people, while most people under 65 pay around £450 for the two doses.
- Who
- People booking shingles vaccinations, including some who hope for possible dementia protection.
- What
- Demand for shingles vaccine bookings has risen. Some studies suggest, but do not prove, the vaccine may reduce dementia risk.
- When
- Recent figures show bookings rose over the past year; the article was published on 11 October 2026.
- Where
- Britain; the article cites figures from Boots and Superdrug.
- Why
- Some people want to prevent shingles, while others are also motivated by studies suggesting a possible link with lower dementia risk.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I want to feel as if I’ve done everything I can to try to head it off, in terms of risk factors and preventive measures that are available to me now
Imagine a vaccine that became a medicine for dementia
If there’s a potential for this to give me more time without the onset of dementia in 20 years’ time, then God, I’ll take it
Boots shingles vaccination bookings rose 30%.
Boots bookings more than doubled, while Superdrug bookings rose 41% year on year.
- Boots
- Bookings more than doubled over the past year.
- Boots
- Bookings rose 30% in the year before.
- Superdrug
- Bookings rose 41% year on year.
- Possible dementia risk reduction
- Studies have reported reductions of up to 20%, with the strongest effects in women.
- Cost for most people under 65
- Around £450 for the full two doses.
Sources
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