As COVID vaccines are distributed across the country and attention turns also to flu vaccines, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveals that just two people in Australia died from influenza between late April and November last year.

And the overall number of recorded deaths was significantly lower than in recent years.

The ABS says the fall was driven by fewer fatalities from respiratory diseases, including pneumonia and influenza, as a result of social distancing, lockdowns, heightened hygiene measures and a stronger uptake of flu vaccinations.

The ABS data shows 10,813 people died from respiratory disease between 1 January and 24 November last year, down from an average of more than 13,000 a year across the previous five years.

Winter and spring saw the biggest fall, with 5872 deaths from respiratory issues between 3 June and 24 November, some 2537 deaths below the 2015-19 average.

Influenza and pneumonia deaths were down to 1952 in 2020, more than 1000 fewer than the previous five-year average of 3097.

"From 1 January to 24 November 2020, there have been 42 deaths due to influenza, with 40 of those deaths occurring before 22 April," said the ABS report.

"These figures show what a deadly disease the flu is in a normal year," Australian Medical Association president Omar Khorshid told The Australian.

"To have just two flu deaths recorded between April and November is extraordinary.

"We can see that record influenza vaccinations, combined with better social distancing and improved hygiene practices, have saved lives," Dr Khorshid said.

"These are lessons we must hold on to in the post-COVID world."

Deaths from heart disease tracked lower in 2020. There were 12,151 deaths occurring from ischaemic heart disease, down from an average of 13,763 over the same period between 2015 and 2019.

Deaths due to cancer, diabetes and dementia were all slightly higher than average. Deaths due to dementia have grown steadily in Australia in the past 20 years and it is now the second leading cause of death

There were 42,945 cancer deaths between January and November, up from the average of 41,545 for the previous five years.