A KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) Health News article published January 14, 2026, summarizes research examining potential “off target” outcomes associated with vaccines in older adults (effects beyond preventing the targeted infection).

A KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) Health News article published January 14, 2026, summarizes research examining potential “off target” outcomes associated with vaccines in older adults (effects beyond preventing the targeted infection).The article explains a recent meta-analysis (published in Age and Ageing) that pooled 21 studies involving more than 104 million participants across Europe, Asia, and North America. In that meta-analysis, shingles vaccination was associated with a 24%reduction in dementia risk; influenza vaccination with a 13%reduction; and pneumococcal vaccination with a 36% reduction in Alzheimer’s risk. The article notes that most studies on “off target” vaccine outcomes are observational and discusses the potential for healthy volunteer bias, meaning results may reflect differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. The article also reports current adult vaccination gaps using CDC reported figures (e.g., the share of older adults who had not received a flu shot and uptake levels for RSV and the most recentCOVID-19 vaccine).

Read More: “Vaccines Are Helping Older People More Than We Knew”