Influenza (flu) vaccines are safe and effective for people with diabetes, including type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. People with diabetes have a higher risk of complications from the flu than people without diabetes and should be vaccinated every year.
Getting the flu shot can help reduce your risk of being infected with the influenza virus and of complications like pneumonia, sinus infections, reduced control of blood sugar levels, and hospitalization.
Illustration by Theresa Chiechi for Verywell Health
Safety and Effectiveness
Influenza vaccines are safe and effective for people with diabetes. They can help prevent the flu and reduce the severity of the flu if you do get sick.
If you have diabetes, you should receive the influenza injection. People with diabetes should not get the nasal spray flu vaccine, which is the live attenuated vaccine (meaning it contains live but weakened flu virus). This is because the safety of the live attenuated vaccine in people with underlying health conditions has not yet been established.
Does the flu shot affect blood sugar in people with diabetes?
The flu shot can temporarily affect blood sugar. This is because the immune system reacts to the vaccine. If you are achy or have any discomfort from the shot, it can cause blood sugars to rise, but this is typically mild.
Talk with your healthcare provider about what you might expect. Getting the flu can cause more serious fluctuations in blood glucose levels.
Who Should Get a Flu Shot
Most health organizations recommend that everyone with diabetes over the age of 6 months receive an annual flu shot.
Who Should Not Get a Flu Shot
People who should not get a flu shot include:
- Babies 6 months of age or younger
- People with severe, life-threatening allergies to any ingredient in the flu shot (if you’re allergic to egg proteins, ask your provider about flu shot alternatives)
- Those who have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous flu shot
Talk with a healthcare provider if you aren’t sure about whether you should get a flu shot due to medical reasons.
How Effective Is the Flu Shot?
Flu shot effectiveness can vary year to year, but overall, getting the flu vaccine reduces the risk of getting the flu by between 40% and 60% in the general population. Effectiveness depends on whether the yearly flu vaccine is well-matched with the type of flu virus circulating. But the vaccine does provide a significant level of protection and risk reduction.
Types
There are several types of injectable flu vaccines. For people 65 and older, these include a type with a higher dose of antigen (a substance from the virus that provokes the immune response) and a type with an adjuvant (an additional substance unrelated to the virus that creates a stronger immune response).
There are also egg-free flu vaccines for those who may be allergic to eggs. Talk with a healthcare provider about which one is best for you.
Flu and COVID-19 Vaccinations
You can get your flu shot at the same time as you get your COVID-19 vaccination.
Side Effects
Side effects can happen with any medication or treatment. Sometimes, vaccines can cause side effects. Common side effects from the flu vaccine can include:
- Soreness/redness/swelling at the injection site
- Headache
- Low-grade fever
- Nausea
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
- Fainting
If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to a vaccine, let your healthcare provider know.
Risks of Flu for People With Diabetes
People with diabetes (including type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes) are at higher risk of developing flu complications, including hospitalization and death. Complications can include:
- Pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs)
- Bronchitis (inflammation of the large air passages in the lungs. also called a chest cold)
- Sinus infections (inflammation of the air passages around the nose and eyes)
- Ear infections
- Cardiac complications such as myocarditis and heart attack
About 30% of adults hospitalized with flu have diabetes. Flu recovery time can be longer for someone with diabetes, and flu can also make long-term health problems like diabetes worse. This is because flu can weaken the immune system, making it harder to fight infections.
In diabetes, blood sugar levels must be managed through medication and lifestyle measures to keep them in a healthy range. Influenza can also make it more difficult for your body to control blood glucose levels and impact appetite, causing even more blood sugar fluctuations.
For those with diabetes, the flu shot has been found to help reduce the risk of these complications as well as the risk of hospitalization.
When Should You Get the Flu Shot?
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends getting the flu shot in September. It takes about two weeks to fully take effect and for your body to mount an immune response. Flu season in the Northern Hemisphere starts in the fall and extends throughout the winter.
While getting the flu shot does not mean you are 100% not going to get the flu, it reduces your risk for about six months.
You should get the flu shot every year. The vaccines are made specifically for the flu strains that are likely to circulate, which change yearly.
Summary
Flu shots are safe and effective for people with type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. A flu vaccine can help reduce your risk of getting the flu. It can also reduce the severity of the flu and your risk of getting various diabetes-related complications from the flu.
Talk with a healthcare provider about which type of shot may be best for you. Also, let them know if you’ve had a previous allergic response to the flu vaccine. Aim to get a flu shot in September each year.
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