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The Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) met to recommend the composition of the influenza virus vaccines for use within Australia in 2026. At this meeting, the expert committee reviewed and evaluated epidemiological, antigenic and genetic data of recent influenza isolates circulating in Australia and the southern hemisphere. Serological responses to the 2024-2025 vaccines, and the availability of candidate vaccines viruses and reagents, were also reviewed by the Committee.
AIVC Recommendation
The Committee recommended the following viruses for vaccines used in Australia for the 2026 southern hemisphere trivalent influenza vaccines in Australia:
Egg-based influenza vaccines:
- an A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Singapore/GP20238/2024 (H3N2)-like virus; and
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus;
Cell-based influenza vaccines:
- an A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Sydney/1359/2024 (H3N2)-like virus; and
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus;
The continued absence of confirmed detection of naturally occurring B/Yamagata lineage viruses after March 2020 is indicative of a very low risk of infection by B/Yamagata lineage viruses. Consistent with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations since September 2023, it remains the opinion of the WHO influenza vaccine composition advisory committee that the inclusion of a B/Yamagata lineage antigen is no longer warranted. There will no longer be updated recommendations for the B/Yamagata lineage component. This position is supported by the AIVC.
Further, the AIVC supports the use of trivalent influenza virus vaccines within Australia for the 2026 influenza season.
Candidate Vaccine Viruses (CVV) recommended may differ for egg- and cell-based vaccines. In some instances, the same virus is not ideal for both production systems. When this is the case, different viruses with similar properties are selected as the prototypes to help timely vaccine production. More information is available in the Frequently asked Questions factsheet on the WHO's website.
The AIVC recommendation for the composition of influenza vaccines for Australia in 2026 differs from the 2025 southern hemisphere and 2025/26 northern hemisphere recommendations. The southern hemisphere 2026 vaccine will contain 2 new strains for the Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) subtype virus component.
The recommendation made by AIVC aligns with the WHO recommendations (Recommendations announced for influenza vaccine composition for the 2026 southern hemisphere influenza season).
The TGA has accepted the recommendation of the AIVC.
Candidate Vaccine Viruses
The TGA considers that the following viruses or reassortants are suitable vaccine strains:
- those as listed on the WHO Influenza vaccine web pages: Influenza vaccine viruses and reagents for H1N1, H3N2 and B viruses.
Contacting TGA
Contact the TGA at influenza.reagents@health.gov.au on the suitability for use of other potential candidate vaccine viruses or reagents if they become available.