Immunizations for people with diabetes
Immunizations (vaccines or vaccinations) help protect you from some diseases. When you have diabetes, you're more likely to get severe infections because your immune system doesn't work as well. Vaccines can prevent illnesses that can be very serious and can put you in the hospital.
Immunizations
Vaccines are used to boost your immune system and prevent the risk of infection and the severity of infections, including those that cause serious, l...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleDiabetes
Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleVaccines usually have an inactive, small part of a certain germ. This germ is often a virus or bacteria. After you get a vaccine, your body learns to attack that virus or bacteria if you are infected. This means you have less of a chance of getting sick than if you did not get the vaccine. Or you may just have a much milder illness.
Below are some of the vaccines you need to know about. Ask your health care provider which are right for you.
Pneumococcal Vaccine
Pneumococcal vaccine can help protect you from serious infections due to the pneumococcal bacteria. These infections include:
Pneumococcal vaccine
All content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/v...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article- In the blood (bacteremia)
Bacteremia
Septicemia is bacteria in the blood (bacteremia) that often occurs with severe infections. Also called sepsis, septicemia is a serious, life-threate...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Of the covering of the brain (meningitis)
Meningitis
Meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This covering is called the meninges. Bacteria are one type of germ ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - In the lungs (pneumonia)
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a breathing (respiratory) condition in which there is an infection of the lung. This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). ...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article
You need at least one shot. A second shot may be needed if you had the first shot more than 5 years ago and you are now age 65 years or older.
Most people have no or only minor side effects from the vaccine. You may have some pain and redness at the site where you get the shot.
This vaccine has a very small chance of a serious reaction.
Flu Shot
The flu (influenza) vaccine helps protect you from the flu. Each year, the type of flu virus that makes people sick is different. This is why you should get a flu shot every year. The best time to get the shot is in the early fall, so that you'll be protected all flu season, which usually lasts mid-fall until the following spring.
Flu
The flu (influenza) is a viral respiratory illness that causes fever, chills, runny nose, body aches, and cough. It spreads easily from person to pe...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticlePeople with diabetes who are 6 months or older should get the flu vaccine each year.
The vaccine is given as a shot (injection). Flu shots can be given to healthy people 6 months or older. One type of shot is injected into a muscle (often the upper arm muscle). Another type is injected just under the skin. Your provider can tell you which shot is right for you.
Shot (injection)
All content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleIn general, you should not get a flu shot if you:
- Have a severe allergy to chickens or egg protein
- Currently have a fever or illness that is more than "just a cold"
- Had a bad reaction to a previous flu vaccine
This vaccine has a very small chance of a serious reaction.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
The hepatitis B vaccine helps protect you from getting a liver infection due to the hepatitis B virus. People with diabetes ages 19 through 59 years should get the vaccine. Your provider can tell you if this vaccine is right for you.
Hepatitis B vaccine
All content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Hepatitis B Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statement...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleLiver infection due to the hepatitis B ...
Hepatitis B is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the liver due to infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Other types of viral hepatitis ...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleOther Important Vaccines
Other vaccines that you may need are:
- COVID-19
COVID-19
COVID-19 vaccines are used to prepare the body's immune system to protect against COVID-19. Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a 2024-2025 C...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A
All content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Hepatitis A Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statement...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)
Tdap
All content below is taken in its entirety from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Tdap Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccine...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
MMR
All content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC MMR (Measles, Mumps, & Rubella) Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/h...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Herpes zoster (shingles)
Herpes zoster
Shingles is a painful, blistering skin rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, a member of the herpes family of viruses. This is the viru...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Polio
Polio
All content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Polio Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/ipv....
Read Article Now Book Mark Article
Reviewed By
Sandeep K. Dhaliwal, MD, board-certified in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Springfield, VA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee website. 5. Facilitating positive health behaviors and well-being to improve health outcomes: standards of medical care in diabetes-2024. Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S77-S110. PMID: 38078584 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38078584/.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Child and adolescent immunization schedule. Recommendations for ages 18 years or younger, United States, 2024. www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-index.html. Updated November 16, 2023. Accessed August 8, 2024.
Murthy N, Wodi AP, McNally VV, Daley MF, Cineas S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommended Immunization Schedule for Adults Aged 19 Years or Older - United States, 2024. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2024;73(1):11-15. PMID: 38206880 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38206880/.