Flu Shots and Diabetes

Each year, researchers do their best to determine which strains of influenza (the flu virus) are likely to circulate during the coming flu season. Based on their recommendations, a flu vaccine is created to provide protection from those specific strains. For people with chronic illnesses like diabetes, as well as children and the elderly, these flu shots are an important part of maintaining your health throughout the year.

Who should get a flu shot?¹

• anyone with a chronic disease, such as diabetes, who are 6 months or older
  
  
• all children 6 to 23 months of age
• everyone 65 years old and older

• people in close contact with those listed above

When there's a shortage of the flu vaccine, people with diabetes and their caregivers are considered part of the priority group to receive the shot.¹ Even if you're feeling fine, if you have diabetes, you're encouraged to get immunized.²

A few facts about the flu shot:

• It can't give you the flu. The viruses in the shot are inactivated.¹

• You shouldn't get a flu shot if you're allergic to eggs.¹The viruses are grown in chicken eggs. But you should talk to your doctor about other ways to prevent infection.

• It's true that is does not work 100% of the time, and some people use it as an excuse to avoid the shot. But when the match between the shot and circulating strains is close, a flu shot can prevent 70 to 90 percent of healthy people from getting the flu. And it can help others avoid hospitalization and additional complications.¹

• The best time to get immunized is in September, because the shot takes about two weeks to become effective. After that, it will provide about six months of protection.²

Talk to your doctor about scheduling your flu shot every fall.

¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Questions & Answers: Flu Shot." Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm (accessed June 27, 2006).

² American Diabetes Association. "Flu and Pneumonia Shots." Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/gestational-diabetes/flu-pneumonia-shots.jsp (accessed June 27, 2006)