Introduction:

The Asociación para el Cuidado de la Diabetes en Argentina - CUI.D.AR, carried out an online survey specifically designed to collect the knowledge and perceptions people who suffered from diabetes mellitus and their close contacts had on the Influenza virus and the potential risks associated with the infection. The survey also explored the confidence level in vaccines in general and in anti-influenza vaccines in particular.

Methods:

Between September 30th and November 15th 2021, 1425 participants anonymously and voluntarily completed the questionnaire. The survey respondents included people with different types of diabetes (n=822), their relatives, carers and close contacts (n=603). They were of diverse ages, most of whom lived in different geographical areas of the country.

Results:

Overall, 85% of the participants considered that the Influenza virus and the disease represent a risk for people with diabetes. Seventy-two percent of the participants expressed that the person with diabetes had received their annual immunization, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. The referred level of confidence in vaccines was high. The participants assigned an important role to health professionals in vaccines prescription and expressed the need for more information about vaccines in the media.

Discussion:

The present survey contributes real-world data that could help optimize diabetic people’s immunization.