How many people get the flu each year? How much does it cost us? How well does the vaccine work?
Here's a rundown of some important statistics based on the best available data.
5% to 20% -- Percentage of the U.S. population that will get the flu, on average, each year.
100,000 - 700,000 -- Average number of Americans hospitalized each year because of problems with the illness.
12,000 - 51,000 -- Number of people who die each year from flu-related causes in the U.S.
$10 billion+ -- Average costs of hospitalizations and outpatient doctor visits related to the flu.
1 to 4 days -- Typical time it takes for symptoms to show up once you've caught the virus. Adults can be contagious from the day before symptoms begin through 5 to 10 days after the illness starts.
December to February -- Peak flu season in the U.S.
156.2 million to 170 million -- Number of flu vaccine doses expected to be available in the U.S. for the 2023-24 flu season.
6 months -- The youngest age for which the CDC recommends a flu shot.
2 weeks -- Time it takes after vaccination for an adult to develop disease-fighting antibodies against the flu.
3 to 7 days -- Time it takes for a regular case of the illness to go away. You might have a cough and fatigue for more than 2 weeks, though.
