Peer Reviewed

Tdap

Tdap Vaccination Significantly Reduces Dementia Risk

Receiving the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of dementia, according to the findings of a recent study.1

Previous research has suggested links between certain vaccines including influenza and herpes zoster to lower risk of dementia. To explore this relationship further, the researchers conducted a review of data from 122,946 eligible patients from the Veterans Health Affairs (VHA) cohort, as well as 174 053 eligible patients in a MarketScan medical claims cohort. All patients were 65 years of age or older and free from dementia for 2 years prior to inclusion.

After controlling for confounding factors, the researchers found that Tdap vaccination was associated with a 42% lower risk of dementia in both cohorts compared with no vaccination (VHA: hazard ratio [HR] = 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI]:0.54–0.63 and MarketScan: HR = 0.58; 95% CI:0.48–0.70).

“The magnitude of the effect of Tdap vaccination on delaying dementia is very exciting from the geriatrician’s viewpoint,” said co-author John Morley, MD, in a press release. “These effects on dementia are more pronounced than any treatments we have available for Alzheimer’s disease.”2

—Michael Potts

References:

  1. Scherrer JF, Salas J, Wiemken TL, et al. Lower risk for dementia following adult tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccination. Gerontol Ser A. Published online April 15, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glab115
  2. SLU Study Finds Lower Dementia Risk in Adult Patients with Tdap Vaccinations. News release. Saint Louis University; May 10, 2021. https://www.newswise.com/articles/slu-study-finds-lower-dementia-risk-in-adult-patients-with-tdap-vaccinations?ta=home