For seven years, the Canadian Medical Association Journal analyzed data from 125,000 T2D patients and found that the death rate related to cardiovascular or respiratory illnesses was 24 percent lower than those who did not get a vaccine. They also found that those who got a flu shot are 30 percent and 22 percent less likely to be admitted due to stroke and heart failure respectively.
Thus, T2D patients who get flu shots actually lessen the risk of being hospitalized. The study was not specifically conducted to prove a direct link between flu shots and the reduction of hospitalization cases among T2D patients due to pneumonia and other similar illnesses. However, it proved strong connections between these factors.
People with T2D have a high risk of getting pneumococcal pneumonia, so getting a flu shot is now suggested to be a part of a diabetes management plan. According to lead author Eszter Vamos, PhD "The potential impact of influenza vaccine to reduce serious illness and death highlight[s] the importance to renew efforts to ensure that people with diabetes receive the flu vaccine every year."
In the United States, the best time to get a flu shot is in September. It takes about two weeks for the flu shots to take effect. If you have a respiratory illness, like a cold, be sure to wait until you are healthy again before getting a flu shot. As an added precaution, it is best to let the people around you get a flu vaccine, too.
In addition to flu vaccination it should be noted that people with type 2 diabetes should take precautions daily to protect against flu. Before getting a shot, you need to talk to a doctor or a health professional first to see which flu shot is best for you. Also, take note that flu shots do not give 100% protection but it makes it much harder for you to catch flu for about six months.
