For a 39-year-old man with diabetes, the preferred vaccines recommended include:
- Annual flu vaccine (inactivated, not live attenuated) to prevent severe flu complications and hospitalizations.
- Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV20 or PCV21 alone, or PCV15 followed by PPSV23) to prevent pneumonia and serious infections.
- Hepatitis B vaccine, especially for adults younger than 60, due to higher risk of infection linked to diabetes.
- Tdap vaccine to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough, typically every 10 years.
- COVID-19 vaccine booster(s) to protect against severe COVID-19 illness.
- Shingles (zoster) vaccine, particularly if there is nerve damage (neuropathy).
- RSV vaccine may be considered for older adults but typically recommended for ages 60+.
These vaccines help protect a person with diabetes from infections that could raise blood sugar dangerously or cause serious complications. The flu and pneumococcal vaccines are especially important annually or as per schedule. The hepatitis B vaccine requires a series of shots if not previously completed. The COVID-19 vaccine should be kept up to date according to current guidelines.
