WASHINGTON — If you have diabetes, there is now an extra reason to get a flu shot.

It seems people with type two diabetes get more than just protection from the flu.

A new study shows a flu shot can also reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.

British researchers took a good hard look at data collected over seven years on 125,000 people in England with type two diabetes.

After controlling for things, such as sex, age, smoking and other health issues, they found that those who got their flu shots had a 30 percent lower risk of stroke, a 22 percent lower rate of heart failure, and a 24 percent lower risk of dying from all causes.

The study, which was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal did not go into the exact reason for the link. But it has long been known that, in general, people with chronic diseases — such as diabetes — are more prone to complications from the flu.