Healthy Living with Diabetes:

Getting the Vaccines You Need

Why is

Vaccination

Important for

People with

Diabetes?

Each year, thousands of

adults in the United States

get sick from diseases

that could have been

prevented by vaccines.

Because diabetes can

make it harder for your

immune system to fight

some infections, you may

be at higher risk of getting

certain diseases if you

are living with diabetes.

Additionally, people with

diabetes are also at higher

risk of serious problems

from some vaccinepreventable diseases.

Learn More at: 

www.cdc.gov/diabetes/

vaccines

What Vaccines do People with Diabetes Need?

Influenza vaccine

• Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.

• People with diabetes are at high risk of serious flu complications, such as pneumonia, 

bronchitis, sinus infections, and ear infections, often resulting in hospitalization and 

sometimes, even death. 

A flu shot every year is the single best way to protect yourself from the flu.

Tdap vaccine

The Tdap vaccine protects against three serious diseases caused by bacteria:

• Tetanus causes painful muscle tightening and stiffness. It kills about 1 out of 10 people 

who are infected, even after receiving medical care.

• Diphtheria causes a thick coating to form in the back of the throat and can lead to 

breathing problems, heart failure, paralysis, and death.

• Pertussis (whooping cough) causes severe coughing spells, which can cause difficulty 

breathing, vomiting, and disturbed sleep.

CDC recommends all adults get the Tdap vaccine once, and a Td vaccine booster dose

every 10 years, to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.

Zoster vaccine

• Shingles is a painful rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person 

recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays in the body. Years later, it may cause shingles. 

• For some people the pain can last for months or even years after the rash goes away — 

known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN).

• Zoster vaccine reduces the risk of developing shingles and PHN in people who have been 

vaccinated.

Herpes zoster vaccine is approved for people age 50 years and older. CDC recommends 

vaccination. People with very weak immune systems should not get the zoster vaccine.

Pneumococcal vaccine

• Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by pneumococcus bacteria.

• People with diabetes are at increased risk for death from pneumococcal infections, which 

include pneumonia (lung infection), bacteremia (blood infection), meningitis (infection of 

the lining of the brain and spinal cord), and ear infections.

CDC recommends people with diabetes get pneumococcal vaccines once as an adult before 

65 years of age and then two more doses at 65 years or older.

Hepatitis B vaccine

• Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and transmitted 

through blood or other body fluid. Chronic hepatitis B can lead to serious health issues, 

such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.

• People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of hepatitis B virus infection. 

• Hepatitis B can be spread through sharing of blood sugar meters, finger stick devices, 

or other diabetes care equipment, such as insulin pens. To prevent hepatitis B infection, 

never share diabetes care equipment.

CDC recommends hepatitis B vaccination for all unvaccinated adults with diabetes who 

are younger than 60 years of age. Many people have had the hepatitis B vaccine as a 

child, so check with your doctor to see if you have been vaccinated already. If you are 60 

years or older, talk to your doctor to see if you should get the hepatitis B vaccine. 1
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Healthy Living with Diabetes:

Getting the Vaccines You Need

Questions for Your Next Medical Appointment:

What vaccines have I had already?

What vaccines do I need now?

What vaccines will I need in the future?

Write down additional questions below:

Last updated MAY 2018