Pneumonia Outpaces COVID-19 and Influenza Deaths

With the respiratory season arriving in the United States, a seldom-mentioned disease surpassed both COVID-19 and Influenza mortality last week.

According to the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics Mortality Surveillance reporting on October 13, 2023, there were 1,226 pneumonia deaths last week, exceeding 549 related to COVID-19 and 10 for influenza.

And no influenza-associated pediatric deaths occurred during the first week of the 2023-2024 flu season. Last flu season, there were 178 influenza-associated pediatric deaths.

Furthermore, the U.S. CDC reported outpatient respiratory illness was below baseline in all 10 HHS regions, and flu-related hospital admissions remained low nationally.

The good news is ample supplies of vaccines are available for the 2023-2024 respiratory season in the U.S. There are over 110 million flu shots and updated COVID-19 vaccines available today.

Regarding pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs that can cause mild to severe illness in people of all ages, the CDC says various immunizations can help prevent disease by some of the bacteria and viruses that can cause pneumonia.

These immunizations include but are not limited to COVID-19, Influenza, Measles, Pertussis, Pneumococcal, Respiratory syncytial virus, and Varicella.

These immunizations are safe, but side effects can occur, most of which are mild, and dissipate on their own within a few days, says the CDC. These vaccines are generally available at health clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.