A global study reveals a potential link between the zona vaccine and a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease. This discovery opens up new perspectives for the prevention of heart attacks and strokes, but calls for caution.
Zona: a skin disease that also threatens the arteries
The zona, caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus (VZV), affects one in three people in their lifetime. It causes painful rashes, but can also have much more serious consequences. The virus can indeed invade blood vessels from the brain, triggering inflammation likely to increase the risk of stroke and infarction.
So far, the zona vaccine only aimed to prevent the disease. But a new study presented at the Congress of the European Cardiology Society (ESC 2025) reveals that it could also have a protective role for the heart.
A global meta-analysis that changes the situation
Researchers reviewed 19 international studies, 9 of which meet the strictest criteria, bringing together both clinical trials and observational studies. Result: zona vaccination was associated with a significant reduction in cardiovascular risk – 18 % in adults over 18 and 16 % in those over 50.
In absolute figures, this corresponds to 1.2 to 2.2 cardiovascular events avoided for 1,000 people followed each year.
Dr. Charles Williams, principal author, specifies in the ESC press release (August 28, 2025):
“”We have examined the evidence available and found that, in this analysis, the vaccination against the zona was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes. Other research is now necessary to find out if this association can be attributed to an effect of the zona vaccine “.
However, caution remains in order. Most data come from observational studies, subject to an angle. As Dr Williams still points out:
“”Although our results are encouraging, there are certain limits to the available data. (…) This demonstrates the need to conduct more research in this area “.
A new hope … but still questions
If the link is confirmed, this vaccine could become a precious tool in cardiovascular prevention, in addition to its role against the zona. But for the time being, the researchers insist: impossible to conclude that a cause and effect relationship.
In France, the High Authority for Health already recommends the anti-zona vaccine in adults aged 65 to 74, as well as for immunocompromised people. This new track could strengthen the importance of vaccination, not only to avoid the pain of the zona, but perhaps also to preserve the health of the heart.