Diabetics in region should get flu jab

Diabetes UK is urging everyone with diabetes to take up the offer of a free flu jab through their local pharmacy or GP - this year more than ever.

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 even more important in 2020 because of coronavirus.

Data from Public Health England estimates well over a third of people aged 16-65 and living with diabetes in the South West are missing out on their jab.

If you’re living with diabetes, you’re 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 can often go unrecognised, and can even be fatal.

That’s why it’s 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 into pneumonia or bronchitis, which might require hospital admission.

For more information visit, www. diabetes.org.uk/seasonal-flu.