The One Thing You Can Get at the Pharmacy That May Lower Your Alzheimer’s Risk Isn’t What You Think

Key Points:

• A new observational study published in Neurology found that older adults (65+) who received a high-dose flu vaccine had nearly a 55% lower relative risk of developing Alzheimer's disease over two years compared to those who received a standard-dose vaccine.
• The high-dose flu vaccine contains four times the antigen of the standard dose and is designed to elicit a stronger immune response in older adults; this study is the first to compare Alzheimer's risk between different flu vaccine types.
• Experts suggest the potential link may be due to the flu vaccine reducing influenza-related inflammation, including neuroinflammation, which could otherwise contribute to Alzheimer's development, though causation has not been established.
• Despite these findings, neurologists emphasize that flu shots are primarily recommended to protect lung and overall health, not specifically to prevent Alzheimer's, and more research is needed to understand the relationship fully.
• Healthcare providers advise getting flu shots before Halloween, especially as flu season can start early; older adults should consult CDC guidelines to choose the appropriate vaccine, with the added potential benefit of Alzheimer's risk reduction considered a bonus.