Immunizations for people with diabetes
Pneumococcal vaccine can help protect you from serious infections due to the pneumococcal bacteria. These infections include:
- In the blood (bacteremia)
- Of the covering of the brain (meningitis)
- In the lungs (pneumonia)
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.
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.
People 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.
In 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.
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.
Other vaccines that you may need are:
- COVID-19
- Hepatitis A
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Herpes zoster (shingles)
- Polio
American Diabetes Association website. 5. Facilitating behavior change and well-being to improve health outcomes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2022. Diabetes Care. 2022;45(Suppl 1):S60-S82. PMID: 34964866 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34964866/.
Murthy N, Wodi AP, Bernstein H, McNally V, Cineas S, Ault K. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommended Immunization Schedule for Adults Aged 19 Years or Older - United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022;71(7):229-233. PMID: 35176010 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35176010/.
Wodi AP, Murthy N, Bernstein H, McNally V, Cineas S, Ault K. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommended Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents Aged 18 Years or Younger - United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022;71(7):234-237. PMID: 35176011 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35176011/.
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.
All rights reserved.