Could the Shingles vaccine help prevent other diseases?

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- New medical research could help change lives moving forward. Vaccines, like the Shingles vaccination, may now help prevent other diseases.

ABC57's Sidney Moore spoke with Dr. Michelle Migliore, Health Officer for Saint Joseph County, about the research on how the Shingles vaccine could help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.

"It was found that the Shingles vaccine and those participants that received it had a lower incidence of both Alzheimer's and cognitive decline. And the reason it's felt that the vaccinations work in reducing the incidence of Alzheimer's and cognitive decline is that they the vaccinations cause you to have the antibodies that reduce inflammation."

This is a working hypothesis and not officially proven, but nevertheless it moves the medicine industry one step closer to finding a possible cure for a disease that impacts millions across the world.

The Shingles vaccine not only reduces inflammation in the nervous system but also in blood vessels, which can help the blood flow better to the brain.