‘It is essential that everyone at high risk of serious illness from flu gets vaccinated’

• PEOPLE with diabetes should get free flu jab, this year more than ever.

Diabetes UK is urging everyone with diabetes to take up the offer of a free flu jab through a pharmacy or their GP.

Getting the flu jab is the best way to protect yourself against the flu and reduce your risk of needing to go into hospital, which is highly important because of Covid-19.

Data from Public Health England estimates that almost one-third of people aged 16 to 65 living with diabetes in London are missing out on their jab and are therefore at risk of developing serious complications if they contract flu.

If you’re living with diabetes you are more at risk of getting the flu and, if you catch it, it can make your diabetes harder to manage and cause your blood sugar levels to rise dangerously high.

This can lead to acute complications which may go unrecognised and can even be fatal.

That is why it is essential that everyone at high risk of serious illness from flu gets vaccinated as soon as possible – especially as it can take up to two weeks for it to be effective.

Without it flu can also develop to pneumonia, or bronchitis, which might require hospital admission.

For more information about diabetes and flu, please visit the Diabetes UK website: www.diabetes.org.uk/seasonal-flu.

ROZ ROSENBLATT
London Head
Diabetes UK