A nationally representative survey of 1,529 adults ages 50 and older found that 72.1% would likely or definitely receive a low-cost, multidose vaccine that could cut dementia risk in half for high-risk individuals. Only 7.2% said they would refuse. Women and Black adults expressed greater hesitation than men and white adults, respectively. The findings come as real-world evidence mounts linking existing vaccines — particularly the shingles shot Shingrix — to meaningfully lower dementia incidence. Higher income and college education were associated with greater vaccine willingness. Researchers say targeted outreach will be needed to address hesitancy among groups who are often at elevated dementia risk, as preventive vaccine candidates move closer to clinical reality.
