Working-age adults with diabetes experience greater susceptibility to seasonal influenza: a population-based cohort study

Abstract

The aim of this work was to compare the incidence of illness attributable to influenza in working-age adults (age p = 0.06) or pneumonia and influenza (p = 0.11). Guidelines calling for influenza vaccinations in diabetic, in addition to elderly, adults implicitly single out working-age adults with diabetes. The evidence supporting such guidelines has hitherto been scant. We found that working-age adults with diabetes appear more susceptible to serious influenza-attributable illness. These findings represent the strongest available evidence for targeting diabetes as an indication for influenza vaccination, irrespective of age.