Health Topics
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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.
Vaccines 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:
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
Other Important Vaccines
Other vaccines that you may need are:
- COVID-19
- Hepatitis A
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Herpes zoster (shingles)
- Polio
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References
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, 2025. www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/child-adolescent-age.html. Updated November 21, 2024. Accessed January 3, 2025.
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/.
Review Date 7/21/2024
Updated 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.