研究顯示帶狀皰疹疫苗可降低失智症風險
Research Links Shingles Vaccine to Lower Dementia Risk
Updated at: August 26, 2026 at 12:15 AM
一項令人振奮的新研究表明，帶狀疱疹疫苗與降低失智症風險之間可能存在關聯。
Exciting new research suggests a potential link between the shingles vaccine and a reduced risk of dementia.
在美國、英國和澳大利亞等國進行的多項大型研究一致顯示，接種帶狀疱疹疫苗的民眾，其罹患失智症的風險可能比未接種者低20%至24%。
Several large-scale studies conducted in countries like the U.S., UK, and Australia have consistently shown that individuals who receive the shingles vaccine may have a 20% to 24% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who do not.
現代的重組疫苗「Shingrix」似乎特別有效。
The modern recombinant vaccine, Shingrix, appears particularly effective.
一種觀點是，該疫苗能預防潛伏的水痘帶狀疱疹病毒重新活化，進而避免其引發有害的腦部發炎。
One idea is that the vaccine prevents the reactivation of the dormant varicella-zoster virus, which might otherwise cause harmful brain inflammation.
另一種理論涉及「訓練免疫」(trained immunity)，即疫苗有助於免疫系統更好地應對其他健康威脅。
Another theory involves 'trained immunity,' where the vaccine helps the immune system better handle other health threats.
此外，疫苗成分也可能提供直接的神經保護益處。
Additionally, components of the vaccine might provide direct neuroprotective benefits.
然而，研究人員提醒，這些發現是基於觀察性數據。
However, researchers caution that these findings are based on observational data.
選擇接種疫苗的人通常採取較健康的生活方式，這可能會影響結果，即所謂的「健康使用者偏差」(healthy user bias)。
People who choose to get vaccinated often lead healthier lifestyles, which could influence the results—a phenomenon known as 'healthy user bias.'
儘管這些發現非常令人鼓舞，科學家仍強調，必須進行大型、隨機對照試驗，才能確認疫苗是否直接導致了這些保護效果。
While these findings are very encouraging, scientists emphasize that large-scale, randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm if the vaccine directly causes these protective effects.
這項研究為利用可取得的疫苗來保護長期腦部健康開闢了一條充滿希望的途徑。
This research opens a promising path toward using accessible vaccines to protect long-term brain health.
