It's Not too Late to get Your Flu Shot

The incidence of flu cases in the U.S. has been low so far this year. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the flu typically starts out slow and gains momentum through the winter, peaking in January and February.

Although the CDC recommends getting a flu shot in October or November, it's still not too late to get one if you haven't already. It takes about 2 weeks for antibodies to build in the body after the flu vaccine, so getting one now will still protect you for the rest of the season.

People with diabetes or other chronic diseases should be vaccinated against the flu. Diabetes can increase the risk of complications from the flu. In fact, the CDC recommends that people with diabetes also get a pneumococcal vaccine as well. The death rate for pneumococcal disease is higher than for all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined and having diabetes puts people at an increased risk.

• Diabetes and Flu/Pneumococcal Campaign