Traveling to the USA with Diabetes: Which Vaccines Should I Take?

If you have diabetes, you do not automatically need “extra travel vaccines” just because you are going to the USA.

But you do need to be especially careful that your routine and risk‑based vaccines are up to date, because people with diabetes have a higher risk of complications from infections like flu and pneumonia.

Start with the basics: “Routine vaccines up to date”

Before travel, quickly confirm you are covered for the common adult vaccines that many people miss:

• Tdap/Td - Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (booster every 10 years).

• MMR - Measles‑mumps‑rubella if you are not immune or not fully vaccinated.

• Varicella - Chickenpox vaccine if you never had the infection or vaccine

• COVID‑19 - Up‑to‑date with the current recommended COVID‑19 vaccine for your age and risk group

These are not “diabetes‑specific vaccines”, but they are important because travel increases exposure in airports, planes, and crowded places.

The “Diabetes ‑ Important” vaccine checklist

These are the vaccines most commonly recommended or strongly considered for adults with diabetes in major guidelines.

Flu vaccine:

People with diabetes are listed by CDC as a group at increased risk of serious flu complications (pneumonia, hospitalization, death). So annual influenza vaccination is especially important.

Pneumococcal vaccine:

Adults with diabetes fall into the group of people with chronic medical conditions who should receive pneumococcal vaccination according to age and prior doses.

For many adults who have never had a pneumococcal vaccine, current CDC options include (for ages 19 and older with diabetes):

• A single dose of PCV20.

• PCV15 followed by PPSV23 later (usually at least 1 year apart, unless higher‑risk situation).

The exact schedule depends on your age and what you’ve already received in the past, so this should be checked against the current CDC adult schedule.

Hepatitis B vaccine:

CDC now recommends hepatitis B vaccination for all adults aged 19-59 years, regardless of risk factors. For adults 60 years and older, vaccination is recommended if they have risk factors, and diabetes is one of those key risk conditions.

So for someone with diabetes:

• If you are 19-59 and have not received a full Hep B series - get vaccinated.

• If you are 60+ with diabetes - vaccination is recommended/strongly considered, based on your overall health and risk.

Shingles vaccine:

The recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV, Shingrix) is recommended for:

• All adults 50 years and older.

• Adults 19 years and older who are immunocompromised.

This is age‑based rather than diabetes‑specific, but many people with type 2 diabetes are in this age group, and shingles can be more severe in older adults.

RSV vaccine

Newer RSV vaccines for adults are recommended mainly by age and risk:

• Adults 75 years and older.

• Adults 60-74 years with certain risk factors (such as chronic heart or lung disease, frailty).

Diabetes alone is not the main reason, but because it often coexists with other chronic conditions, your clinician may consider RSV vaccination if you are in the older age group or have additional risks.

What most travelers forget

• Try to complete needed vaccines at least 2-4 weeks before travel, so your body has time to build protection and you have time to handle any mild side effects before the trip.

• For multi‑dose vaccines (like Hep B, shingles), start as early as possible, even if you may not complete the full series before travel - partial protection is still better than none.

Do you need any “special USA entry vaccine”?

For most routine travelers:

• There is no special extra vaccine required just to enter the USA (as of current CDC Traveler’s Health guidance)

• The main focus is:

  • Routine adult vaccines up to date.

  • Diabetes‑relevant vaccines (flu, pneumococcal, hepatitis B) appropriately given for your age and history.

  • COVID‑19 vaccination per your national and CDC recommendations.

If you are doing special activities (healthcare work, animal work, long‑term stay, etc.), the risk profile can change, your doctor or a travel clinic can individualize.

Simple takeaway

If you have diabetes and you are traveling, think of vaccines like a safety belt:

• Flu vaccine: every year, especially important for people with diabetes.

• Pneumococcal vaccine: at least once in adulthood (plus follow‑up doses) based on age and prior history

• Hepatitis B: full series if not already done (especially 19-59 years and all older adults with diabetes)

• Age‑based vaccines: shingles and possibly RSV if you are in the eligible age/risk group

• Routine adult vaccines: Tdap, MMR, varicella, COVID‑19 up to date

If you share your age, past vaccine history, other health problems, and travel dates with your doctor, they can quickly tell you what you definitely need, what is optional, and what you don’t need to worry about.