According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with diabetes are three times more likely to die of flu or pneumonia than others. Each year, 10,000 to 30,000 people with diabetes die from complications of those two illnesses. Yet only one-third get a simple, safe pneumonia shot, and just over one-half get an annual flu shot.

Pneumonia is a serious illness for anyone, but it's worse if you have diabetes. You're more likely to be sicker longer, have to go to the hospital, or die.

The pneumonia vaccine is recommended for anyone aged 2 or older who, because of a chronic health problem such as diabetes, has a greater chance of getting and dying from pneumonia. It is very safe - it doesn't contain any live bacteria, which means there's no way you can get pneumonia from the shot.

For many people, the shot is needed only once for lifetime protection. For some, such as people under the age of 65 with a chronic illness, a second shot 5 - 10 years after the first one may be needed. Check with your doctor about getting a first or second pneumonia shot. It could save your life.

Related information Diabetes Complications

Source:  CDC. Diabetes and pneumonia: get the facts.