Silver Book Fact
Death rate from pneumonia and flu rises significantly with age
The death rate from pneumonia and influenza is close to 130 times higher in people age 85 and older, compared to people ages 45 to 54. This increased risk due to age is even higher than that seen in heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other leading causes of death.
Gorina Y, Kelly T, Lubitz J, Hines Z. Trends in Influenza and Pneumonia Among Older Persons in the United States. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics; 2008. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ahcd/agingtrends/08influenza.pdf