While thinking about the yearly reminder to get a flu shot, I decided to see if I could find out how many people actually die from the flu each year. Since I am older, the fact that I haven't known someone personally that actually died from the flu makes me wonder. In an effort to do a little research, I was surprised to hear that the CDC flu death numbers are based more on modeling then actual death certificate data.
If this is something you are surprised to hear too, you will probably find the following letter to the CDC worth reading. Not only does the author suggest that the influenza death numbers are false and misleading, he gives a good overview of the important facts that should be addressed and fixed .
As an example, the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), states that in 2001, of the 62,034 deaths attributed to influenza and pneumonia, only 257 were actually attributed to the flu and of the 257 included, only 18 cases were identified as flu virus positive. The rest of the deaths totaling 61,777 were attributed to pneumonia instead.
When we hear the constant reminders of how important it is to get the flu shot always referenced with how many people die each year, it makes me feel like maybe the public is being misled. If you are interested in this topic or want to see it for yourself, the link to his letter to the CDC is posted below.
