Important Facts About Diabetes
- Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not
make enough or can not use its own insulin, which is needed to help the body absorb
and use sugar from the bloodstream. People with diabetes have high blood sugar
levels.
- Many factors, including genetic and a number of possible environmental factors
unrelated to vaccines, may influence the development of diabetes.
- Diabetes knowledge, treatment and prevention strategies advance daily. Consult
your health care provider for more information on the disease and its treatment.
What is Known About Diabetes and Vaccination
- There is no proven evidence that vaccines cause or increase the risk of developing
diabetes in people.
- Comparisons of diabetes rates with vaccination schedules in a few countries have
been interpreted by some as suggestive of a possible increase in risk of diabetes
associated with vaccination.
- Results of several scientific studies, however, have not shown relationship
between vaccines and an increased risk of diabetes in people.
Assuring Vaccine Safety
- To assure the safety of vaccines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health
(NIH), and other Federal agencies routinely monitor and conduct research to examine
any new evidence that would suggest possible problems with the safety of vaccines.
- To report a health problem that followed vaccination, you or your health care
provider should call the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) at (800)
822-7967.
CDC, National Immunization Program: http://www.cdc.gov/nip
Last updated: May 2001
|