In Health Watch:People with diabetes are part of the high risk group for flu.As Drew Levinson tells us.. the flu can make it difficult for diabetics to keep blood sugar levels in check.John Sproat knows how important it is to get his flu shot every year .Sproat says, 'I don't want to get sick. I've gotten the flu in the past. It's horrible.'John is a diabetic which makes him more susceptible to severe cases of the flu .That's because his body has a harder time fighting off infection.Dr. Stanley Mirsky says, 'It is critical that a diabetic get both vaccines.'The biggest problem for diabetics is keeping blood glucose levels under control.Feeling tired from the flu can mask low and high blood sugar levels.Dr. Mirsky says, 'They should make sure that they're checking their blood sugar four times a day.'People with diabetes are six times more likely to be hospitalized for seasonal flu...and almost three times more likely to die.They account for 12% OF hospitalizations in the H1N1 outbreak.Diabetics should call the doctor immediately if they come down with flu symptoms.Anti-viral medications , like Tamiflu, can be a lifesaver. but diabetics should stay away from over the counter flu remedies that contain sugar because they can trigger complications.Still.. prevention is the best defense.John Sproat says, 'It's just much easier to get the shot and get it over with.'But the challenge for many high risk people like john is finding available vaccine.