How Many People Die From The Flu Each Year

The flu is a highly contagious virus that can have serious consequences if left untreated. Each year, thousands of people of all ages die from the flu and its complications. Estimations of yearly death tolls have varied widely but, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it’s likely that 12,000 to 56,000 people die from the flu in the United States each year.

Between 2010 and 2019, the flu caused an estimated 355,000 to 645,000 deaths globally. The rate of flu-related deaths vary from year to year, but are generally higher among people age 65 and older. In the 2018 to 2019 season, for example, the CDC estimated that an estimated 34,200 people died from the flu and its complications.

In recent years, flu-related deaths in the United States and other high-income countries have been on the decline. This is likely due to better preventative strategies like vaccinations and improved treatments, but still more work needs to be done.

Ensuring that people have access to vaccinations is essential in preventing the spread of the virus as well as reducing its associated mortality rates. Yearly vaccinations can also help protect people from emerging strains of the virus, though even those kept up to date on vaccinations can sometimes become ill.

Because the flu can be very serious and is highly contagious, the CDC recommends that anyone older than 6 months receive an influenza vaccine each year. Other preventative methods like frequent handwashing and avoiding contact with those who are sick can also help reduce the spread of the virus and lower death rates.