CDC’s Overarching messages fit
with the Division of Diabetes
Translation’s (DDT) messages
This year, more than ever, do all
you can to protect yourself and
others from the flu. Keep
informed, wash your hands
often, cover your coughs and
sneezes, keep sick people home
from work or school, and get
yourself and your family
vaccinated against seasonal flu
and, if recommended, the 2009
H1N1 flu virus.
Influenza is unpredictable, but
scientists believe that the 2009
H1N1 flu virus will cause more
illness, hospital stays, and
deaths in the United States
during the coming months.
Approximately 70% of persons
hospitalized from 2009 H1N1
influenza have had a recognized
high risk condition
(approximately 60% of children
and approximately 80% among
adults). These high risk
conditions are the same
conditions that increase the risk
of complications from seasonal
influenza infection and include
people who have a metabolic
disorder such as diabetes.
Complications of flu include
worsening of chronic medical
conditions such as diabetes.
Persons with diabetes may have
abnormal immune function that
can lead to increased risk of
complications from influenza
infection. Influenza may also
interfere with blood glucose
management.
People with diabetes are six
times more likely to be
hospitalized with seasonal
influenza complications and
almost three times more likely
to die.
Vaccine Information:
Seasonal and 2009 H1N1
Influenza
Take time to get vaccinated
against influenza. The CDC
recommends seasonal influenza
vaccine annually to all persons
with diabetes six months of age
and older and influenza
vaccination for close household
contacts and out-of-home
caregivers of anyone with
diabetes.
Getting a regular flu vaccine is
part of an overall diabetes
management plan. CDC
recommends that you get your
regular flu vaccine now.
Even if you receive the seasonal
vaccine early in the season, the
protection you get from the
vaccine will not wear off before
the flu season is over.
The goal is to vaccinate all
people with the 2009 Hh1N1
vaccine but people with diabetes
are in the priority group since
they may be at higher risk for
complications from 2009 H1N1
influenza.
People who have diabetes in the
age group 6 months though age
64, are in the high priority group
to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine
when it becomes available in the
upcoming weeks. Talk to your
health-care provider.
People with diabetes should get
the “injection” type of vaccine,
NOT the “live” nasal mist type of
vaccine for both seasonal flu and
2009 H1N1 influenza vaccines.
People can receive both vaccines
in the injectable form (the
seasonal flu vaccine and the
2009 H1N1) at the same time.
While people 65 years and older
aren’t included in the high risk
groups to be prioritized for 2009
H1N1 influenza vaccination, they
can get the 2009 H1N1 influenza
vaccine as soon as the high-risk
groups have had the
opportunity to be vaccinated
and should not delay in seeking
medical treatment if they
develop symptoms of influenza.
They definitely need the annual
flu shot right now.
2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine
Safety
We expect the 2009 H1N1
influenza vaccine to have a
similar safety profile as seasonal
flu vaccines, which have a very
good safety track record.
CDC expects that any serious side
effects following vaccination
with the 2009 H1N1 influenza
vaccine would be rare.
If side effects occur, they will
likely be similar to those
experienced following seasonal
influenza vaccine.
The CDC and FDA closely monitor
the safety of seasonal influenza
and other vaccines licensed for
use in the United States in
cooperation with state and local
health departments, healthcare
providers, and other partners.
Influenza Vaccine Is Safe and
Effective. Influenza vaccination is
the most effective intervention
for reducing the impact of
influenza. Studies have shown
seasonal influenza vaccination is
associated with a 72% reduction
in hospitalizations and death in
persons with diabetes 18 to 64
years.
A pneumonia (pneumococcal)
vaccine should also be part of a
diabetes management plan.
Check with your health care
provider.
Vaccine FAQs
How many doses of the H1N1
vaccine are required?
Children under the age of 10
years should receive two doses
of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. CDC
recommends that the two doses
of 2009 H1N1 vaccine be
separated by 4 weeks. However,
if the second dose is separated
from the first dose by at least 21
days, the second dose can be
considered valid.
Can patients who are allergic to
eggs receive the 2009 H1N1 flu
vaccine?
Persons who have had
symptoms such as hives or
swelling of the lips or tongue, or
who have experienced acute
respiratory distress after eating
eggs, should consult a physician
for appropriate evaluation to
help determine if influenza
vaccine should be administered.
Can individuals with a latex
allergy receive the vaccine?
Information about
immunization for individuals
with a allergy to latex can be
found on the package insert for
the vaccine. Multi-dose vial
rubber stoppers and syringe
plunger tips may contain a small
amount of latex. Ask individuals
what type of reaction they have
to latex.
Can contacts of people with
weakened immune systems get
the nasal-spray flu vaccine?
People who are in contact with
others with severely weakened
immune systems when they are
being cared for in a protective
environment (for example,
people with hematopoietic stem
cell transplants), should not get
the nasal spray vaccine,
including the 2009 H1N1 nasal
spray vaccine if they will come
into contact with the severely
immunocompromised person
within 7 days of vaccination
[lb3] . People who have contact
with others with lesser degrees
of immunosuppression (for
example, people with diabetes,
people with asthma taking
corticosteroids, or people
infected with HIV) can get the
nasal spray vaccine.
Antiviral Medication
Information
Take antiviral drugs if your
doctor says you need them.
On September 8, 2009, CDC
issued updated
recommendations for the use of
antiviral drugs in the treatment
and prevention of influenza. This
guidance is available at http://
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
recommendations.htm.
A Question & Answer document
is posted at http://
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
antiviral.htm.
Are there medicines to treat
2009 H1N1 infection
Yes. CDC recommends the use of
oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or
zanamivir (Relenza) for the
treatment and/or prevention of
infection with novel H1N1 flu
virus.
Antiviral drugs are prescription
medicines (pills, liquid or an
inhaled powder) that fight
against the flu by keeping flu
viruses from reproducing in
your body.
If you get sick, antiviral drugs
can make your illness milder and
make you feel better faster.
Anti-viral drugs may also
prevent serious flu
complications.
During the current pandemic,
the priority use for influenza
antiviral drugs is to treat severe
influenza illness (for example
hospitalized patients) and
people who are sick who have a
condition that places them at
high risk for serious flu-related
complications. This includes
people with diabetes.
They should seek early medical
evaluation as antiviral
medications work best if started
within 2 days of symptom onset.
The general public should
understand that the priority use
for influenza antiviral
medications this season is to
treat severe influenza illness (for
example hospitalized patients)
and people who are sick or who
have a condition that places
them at high risk for serious flu-
related complications.
How does diabetes affect
how I respond to a cold or
flu??
Being sick by itself can raise your
blood glucose. Moreover, illness
can prevent you from eating
properly, which further affects
blood glucose.
In addition, diabetes can make
the immune system more
vulnerable to severe cases of the
flu. People with diabetes who
come down with the flu may
become very sick and may even
have to go to a hospital. You can
help keep yourself from getting
the flu by getting a flu shot every
year. Everyone with diabetes—
even pregnant women—should
get a yearly flu shot. The best
time to get one is between
October and mid-November,
before the flu season begins.
