NEED TO KNOW The shingles vaccine has been linked to a lower biologic age, according to a study in The Journals of GerontologyThe vaccine is a two-dose shot given after age 50 that can prevent the painful illness"Shingles vaccination influences key domains linked to the aging process,” researchers saidThe shingles vaccine may not only protect against catching the painful virus, but it may also slower biologic aging. The shingles vaccine is a two-dose shot given after age 50 that is up to 90% effective at preventing shingles, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. GettyAnd while the shingles vaccine can lower inflammation, researchers posit that it also reduces the risk of conditions that accelerate aging. And the benefits of the vaccine may be long-lasting: Researchers said that participants who received their vaccine four or more years ago still had lower biologic ages than their unvaccinated counterparts. “These findings indicate that shingles vaccination influences key domains linked to the aging process,” coauthor Eileen Crimmins, USC University Professor and AARP Professor of Gerontology, said in the release.