Diabetics should take up vaccination offers

DIABETES UK Cymru is urging everyone with diabetes to get their free flu jab (at their GP surgery or community pharmacy or for children through school) and take up the offer of a Covid-19 booster six months after their initial jabs.

Please wait to be invited, your health board will contact you when it’s your turn.

People with diabetes have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and have a higher risk of becoming seriously ill if they develop Covid-19.

The flu can be incredibly serious, and people with diabetes are particularly vulnerable to serious complications if they get it, including making the diabetes harder to manage and causing blood sugar levels to rise dangerously high.

With the Covid-19 pandemic still posing a very real threat, it’s incredibly important that people with diabetes stay well and stay out of hospital.

That’s why more than ever, it is so important that people with diabetes and take up the offer of both of these jabs.

Evidence shows it is safe to have both jabs at the same time.

The booster vaccination programme is now in place and people are able to get their booster appointment as long as it has been at least six months since their second dose of the vaccine.

If anyone needs advice on how or where to get a flu jab or questions around the Covid-19 booster, please contact our helpline on 0345 123 2399, from Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm, or you can find more information on diabetes, coronavirus and flu at diabetes.org. uk

You will find information about the autumn flu and Covid19 vaccination programme on https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/ immunisation-and-vaccines/ fluvaccine/eligibility/ and https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/ immunisation-and-vaccines/ covid-19-vaccination-information/ eligibility-for-the-vaccine/

Leanne Jenkins National Care Adviser

Diabetes UK Cymru