People with diabetes should get vaccinated against Covid-19 as they are at risk of developing severe disease and complications, an official of the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (PSEDM) said.

“Nakita po natin ang mga taong may diabetes ay sila po ang may mataas na tyansa na magkaroon ng malalang infection dahil sa Covid-19 (We have seen that people with diabetes have a higher chance of developing a serious infection due to Covid-19),” said PSEDM Treasurer Dr. Aurora Macaballug during a forum hosted by the Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday, March 30.

Completing the primary vaccination series is also not enough as individuals with diabetes should also get boosted, said Macaballug.

“Nakita rin natin yung primary Covid vaccine natin, through time—effective sila pero overtime bumababa po ang efficacy. So, kailangang-kailangan po natin ng booster vaccine para sa mga taong may diabetes para maiwasan ang pagkakaospital at pagkakaroon ng komplikasyon kung sila ay magkakaroon ng Covid-19 (The primary Covid vaccine is effective but overtime the efficacy wanes. So, we really need a booster vaccine for people with diabetes to prevent hospitalization and complications if they get Covid-19),” she said.

“Wala naman pong special na adverse event, unique with people with diabetes. Lahat ng adverse event na nakikita natin in the general population, pwede rin pong ma experience ng person with diabetes. Wala naman na identify na reaction na uniquely for diabetes
(There is no special or unique adverse event to people with diabetes. All the adverse events that we see in the general population can also be experienced by a person with diabetes. There is no identified reaction that is uniquely for diabetic individuals),” she added.