Vaccinating Your Adult Diabetic Patient: What Vaccines Would You Recommend?

Abstract

Adults with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) are at substantially higher risk of infections and complications from vaccine-preventable diseases. As a result, persons with diabetes experience higher rates of serious illnesses such as influenza, pneumonia, and other infections. Epidemiological studies show that during flu epidemics, persons with diabetes are hospitalized at much higher rates and are more likely to suffer serious complications (e.g., myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke) than their non‐diabetic peers. Globally, diabetes is one of the most common comorbidities among patients with severe COVID-19. In short, diabetes—especially when poorly controlled or long-standing—is a risk factor for viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. People with diabetes are more likely to be hospitalized or die from illnesses such as influenza, pneumonia, and COVID-19.  Clinicians should understand that diabetes itself impairs immunity, making timely immunization critical. Notably, the Canadian Immunization Guide confirms that there is no evidence suggesting that vaccines adversely affect blood glucose control.