Which vaccines should people with diabetes get to protect against lung infections?

People with diabetes are typically recommended the pneumococcal vaccine, annual flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, and now RSV vaccines if eligible. Speak with your GP or diabetes nurse to ensure you are up to date with all recommended jabs.

What is Aspergillus and why does it matter for people with diabetes?

Aspergillus is a fungus found in the environment that can cause serious lung infections, particularly in people with weakened immune systems. People with poorly controlled diabetes or those on certain medications may be at higher risk of fungal lung infections.

What symptoms of a lung infection should prompt me to see a doctor urgently?

Seek medical attention promptly if you experience difficulty breathing, persistent cough, fever, chest pain, or confusion — especially if your blood glucose is harder to control than usual, as infection often raises blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

Pneumonia Kills 2.5 Million Yearly: What Diabetics Must Know

Key takeaways

✓Child deaths from lung infections dropped 33% since 2010, showing vaccines and healthcare improvements are working
✓129 out of 204 countries have now met the global target for reducing childhood pneumonia deaths
✓11 newly tracked pathogens identified, giving scientists a fuller picture of what causes deadly lung infections
✓Study covers 204 countries over 33 years, making it one of the most comprehensive analyses ever conducted
✓Findings support stronger adult vaccination programmes, directly benefiting older people with diabetes

Quick specs

Journal	The Lancet. Infectious diseases
Year	2026
PMID	41412141

What This Study Found

Researchers analysed data from 204 countries spanning 1990 to 2023 to understand who is dying from lower respiratory infections (LRIs) — illnesses like pneumonia and bronchiolitis that affect the lungs and airways.

Key Findings

In 2023, lung infections caused 2.5 million deaths worldwide. The two groups hit hardest were children under 5 years old and adults aged 70 and over. While child deaths from these infections have dropped by about 33% since 2010, older adults have seen very little improvement.

Why This Matters for People with Diabetes

People living with diabetes are at significantly higher risk of serious complications from pneumonia and lung infections. Diabetes can weaken the immune system, making it harder to fight off the bacterial and viral pathogens identified in this study. The top killer pathogen found was Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcal bacteria), responsible for 25% of all lung infection deaths — this is a vaccine-preventable infection. Two other major causes were Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae, both of which are more dangerous in people with diabetes.

The Global Progress Report

A global target was set to reduce childhood pneumonia deaths to fewer than 60 per 100,000 children. By 2023, 129 out of 204 countries had met this goal. However, sub-Saharan Africa remains far behind, with the highest child death rates from lung infections still recorded there.

Newly Identified Threats

This study tracked 11 newly analysed pathogens for the first time. These included non-tuberculous mycobacteria (responsible for 177,000 deaths) and Aspergillus fungal infections (nearly 68,000 deaths). Together, these newly tracked pathogens accounted for about 22% of all lung infection deaths — a significant and previously underestimated burden.

What Experts Recommend

The study calls for broader access to vaccines (including newer RSV antibody treatments), stronger health systems for early diagnosis and treatment, expanded surveillance of emerging infections, and improved adult vaccination programmes. Addressing vaccine hesitancy was also highlighted as critical to saving lives.

What You Can Do

Ask your diabetes care team about pneumococcal, flu, and RSV vaccinations
Keep your blood glucose well managed to support immune function
Seek medical attention early if you develop symptoms of a chest infection
Stay up to date with all recommended vaccinations for your age group

References & Sources

Frequently asked questions

Diabetes can impair immune function, reduce the ability of white blood cells to fight bacteria, and slow recovery. High blood glucose also creates an environment where certain bacteria thrive, making infections more severe and harder to treat.

Editorial note

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diabetes management. Last reviewed: July 16, 2026 by the MDS Diabetes editorial team.

What to do next

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Pneumonia Still Kills 2.5 Million People Yearly Worldwide