A new research has revealed that taking influenza shot is extremely useful for type 2 diabetes patients in UK primary-care clinics. The study suggested that influenza shot in diabetics alleviated the hospitalization rate for flu, pneumonia and key cardiovascular diseases as well as reduces death risk, during the subsequent flu season.

The research was performed by Dr Eszter P Vamos from Imperial College London, and colleagues. The study involved the evaluation of data extracted specifically for flu seasons between 2003–2004 and 2009–2010. It was reported that the patients of diabetes who took the flu shot experienced a decline of 15-30% in the hospitalization or death rate due to stroke, heart failure, pneumonia and influenza in the following flu season.

Robust suggestions have been given by several nations to ensure annual flu shots among older adults and those suffering from chronic conditions like diabetes. However, the outcomes of small-scale and less accurate tests have not fortified those recommendations. The new research is the first of its kind to take into account, specific cardiovascular results in diabetic patients, depending on whether they took the flu shot or not.

Vamos revealed that influenza vaccination is mostly underused for those suffering from chronic diseases like diabetes. The research suggested that influenza vaccine is capable of drastically alleviating cardiovascular illness and death during flu season. She added that this is a compelling evidence for this high-risk population to receive flu shots.

Dr Jacob A Udell from Peter Munk Cardiac Centre and Cardiovascular Division, University Health Network, and University of Toronto, stated that the observational evidence from the study offers "positive reinforcement of why we should be getting patients vaccinated, particularly patients who aren't over 65 but have diabetes. Cardiologists, internists, and endocrinologists should ensure that their patients are vaccinated for flu before its season begins”.

A report published in Healio revealed, "To gauge the benefits of influenza vaccination against cardiovascular events and respiratory illness in people with type 2 diabetes, Vamos and colleagues extracted primary and secondary care data from England's Clinical Practice Research Datalink."

After adjustment, the researchers found vaccination within this population to be associated with lower admission rates for stroke (incidence RR = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.53-0.91) and heart failure (IRR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.65-0.92). They saw similar reductions in pneumonia or influenza admissions (IRR = 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74-0.99) and all-cause mortality (IRR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.65-0.83.). In addition, vaccination was associated with reductions in all of the observed outcomes during the influenza season.

"This study has shown that people with type 2 diabetes may derive substantial benefits from current vaccines, including protection against hospital admission for some major cardiovascular outcomes," the researchers wrote. "These findings underline the importance of influenza vaccination as part of comprehensive secondary prevention in this high-risk population."

According to a report in Medscape by Marlene Busko, "The diabetic patients who received the flu shot had 15% to 30% lower rates of death or hospital admission for stroke, heart failure, pneumonia, or influenza (P <0.05) during the subsequent flu season."

Influenza vaccine is largely underused among people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, Vamos told heartwire from Medscape. This study shows that it may significantly reduce cardiovascular illness and death during flu season, and thus it is very important for this high-risk population to get vaccinated, she stressed.

Before flu season starts, cardiologists, internists, and endocrinologists should ask their patients if they have received a flu shot, and if not, should offer it at their local sites. "I strongly believe it should be considered a performance measure in our system," similar to screening for high cholesterol, he added. This study shows "no harm and certainly potential benefit" if all adult diabetic patients get a flu shot. Moreover, "we shouldn't be satisfied with just a 65% vaccination rate," he said.