Vaccination in people with diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Introduction: the recommendations of the Argentine Ministry of Health (MSAL) to provide immunization throughout the life is vaccination. Unlike the child and youth population, most of adults do not receive vaccination according to the
current recommendations.

Objectives: to describe the immunization schemes that people with diabetes mellitus should receive. The influenza virus vaccine should be administered annually from 2 to 64 years old.
As regards the pneumococcal vaccine, there are two vaccines available: the PVN23 with 23 serotypes and the conjugated pneumococcal vaccine with 13 serotypes (PCV13). The first dose
of PCV13 is indicated between 5 and 64 years old, a second dose with PVN23 and a booster shot of PVN23 at 65 years old. Although in Argentina the hepatitis B virus vaccine was introduced in the immunization scheme for all adults, we should take into consideration that people with Diabetes type I and II have higher prevalence of hepatitis B than the common population.

Conclusions: the treating physician of people with diabetes, mainly adults, should be updated on the matter and be ready to act as direct agent to recommend immunization for this type of population.