Vaccines help protect people with diabetes

Diabetes is one of the leading noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the Philippines, with nearly 5 million Filipino adults diagnosed with the condition. In 2024, diabetes ranked as the fifth leading cause of death nationwide.

- MEDICINE CABINET TEODORO B. PADILLA

This chronic disease occurs when the body cannot produce or effectively use insulin. Left uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to devastating complications such as blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, and lower limb amputation.

As the country marks “Diabetes Awareness Week,” it is timely to highlight five key steps in managing the disease. First, engage in regular physical activity. Second, follow a healthy, low-fat, low-salt, fiber-rich diet. Third, take prescribed maintenance medications, including insulin, as prescribed by your doctor. Fourth, see your doctor regularly. Finally, stay up to date with your vaccinations.

Vaccination plays a vital yet often underappreciated role in diabetes management. People with diabetes have weakened immune responses, making them more vulnerable to infections. High blood sugar levels impair immune function and hinder the body’s ability to fight off disease-causing pathogens.

Respiratory infections, in particular, pose a serious risk. These can trigger spikes in blood sugar that may require hospitalization. Studies show that people with diabetes are twice as likely to die from influenza and more than four times more likely to develop pneumococcal disease compared to those without diabetes.