On Thursday April 23, 2015 at the St. David's monthly Diabetes Association meeting, Nurse Mitchell encouraged all diabetics present to get their annual flu vaccine.

(Photo #1 Nurse Mitchell giving presentation about vaccination campaign, Photo #2 File photo of St. David's Diabetics Association Members, Photo #3 Mrs. Catherine George getting her flu vaccination)

The CDC recommends that people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, who are 6 months and older, get a flu vaccine, "People with diabetes (type 1 and 2), even when well-managed, are at high risk of serious flu complications, often resulting in hospitalization and sometimes even death. Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections and ear infections are examples of flu-related complications. The flu also can make chronic health problems, like diabetes, worse. This is because diabetes can make the immune system less able to fight infections. In addition, illness can make it harder to control your blood sugars. The illness might raise your sugar but sometimes people don’t feel like eating when they are sick, and this can cause blood sugar levels fall. So it is important to follow sick day rules."

Photo courtesy Central Health - Grenada