Flu Vaccines

Influenza, or the flu, can be a serious condition. Millions of people get the flu every year, which results in hundreds of thousands of people missing work, school or vacations. Severe flu can lead to hospitalization. And because the flu affects people differently, unfortunately, thousands of people die from the flu or its complications.

Some of the complications from the flu include bacterial pneumonia and upper respiratory infections. The flu can also make other medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and congestive heart failure worse.

An annual flu vaccine is the best defense against getting the flu and potential complications. Since the most common flu strain varies from year to year, some people get the flu even after a vaccine. However, getting the vaccine has been shown to decrease the severity of flu.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months or older in the United States. It is also recommended for people who are at a higher risk of developing serious flu complications. Adults 65 years and older and pregnant women are at a higher risk. Others at a higher risk include those with the following:

Asthma
Heart disease and stroke
Chronic kidney disease
Cancer
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

In addition, people with diabetes — even those with well-managed diabetes — are at significantly higher risk for serious flu complications. For example, flu may raise blood sugar in diabetics. These complications can lead to hospitalizations and death. About 30 percent of adults hospitalized because of the flu had diabetes.

Did you know getting the flu vaccine is one of the requirements for the My Diabetes Discount Program? The My Diabetes Discount Program offers some of our members with diabetes an opportunity to receive insulin for a $0 copayment. Members can qualify for the program by completing all of the health-related requirements. For more information, please call us at 855-838-5897, option 2.

The CDC is an independent organization that offers health information you may find useful.