· CDE Mehandi Sharma
Which Vaccines Matter If You Have Diabetes
Diabetes is associated with impaired cell-mediated immunity, which is the technical way of saying infections tend to hit harder and last longer. Several vaccines are recommended for that reason.
| Vaccine | When | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Influenza | Every year | Diabetes is a significant risk factor for hospitalisation with flu |
| Pneumococcal | Adults 19–64, with a repeat dose at 65 if the first was over 5 years earlier | Higher risk of serious pneumococcal disease |
| Hepatitis B | Adults with diabetes | Roughly twice the risk of acute hepatitis B |
| Herpes zoster (shingles) | Age 60 and over | Higher risk with age and diabetes |
The flu vaccine has the strongest supporting numbers: up to a 40% reduction in mortality, and in one Dutch study a 70% reduction in hospitalisations for influenza, pneumonia and related complications.
The hepatitis B recommendation surprises people, and the reason is specific to diabetes: transmission has been linked to shared or improperly used blood glucose meters and needles. Never share a glucometer or a lancing device, even within a family.
If you do fall ill, the sick-day rules matter as much as the vaccination did.