Vnitr Lek 2020, 66(5):301-307 | DOI: 10.36290/vnl.2020.085

Vaccines recommended for diabetic patients

Petra Macounová, Rastislav Maďar

Ústav epidemiologie a ochrany veřejného zdraví, Lékařská fakulta, Ostravská univerzita

Diabetes mellitus is the name of a group of chronic diseases in which absolute or relative lack of insulin causes hyperglycemia. The hyperglycemic environment causes disorders of the cells of innate immunity, which leads to reduced function of the immune system, and therefore diabetics are more susceptible to infections. Due to immune dysfunction, infections are not only more common, but also more severe and with higher mortality than in people without diabetes. Nevertheless, in diabetics, an adequate immune response to the vaccine is maintained, so it is possible to use one of the most effective options for preventing infections, which is vaccination. When vaccinating diabetics, it is appropriate to prefer inactivated vaccines, the use of which is safe even in immunocompromised persons, of course, while respecting general contraindications. This article is focused on the five most common vaccine-preventable infections, including vaccines that are recommended for diabetics.

Keywords: diabetes mellitus, infection, immunization, prevention, vaccination, vaccination of diabetics.

Published: August 1, 2020  Show citation