The Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) met to recommend the composition of the influenza virus vaccines for use within Australia in 2027. 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 2025-2026 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 2027 southern hemisphere trivalent influenza vaccines in Australia:
Egg-based influenza vaccines:
- an A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Darwin/1454/2025 (H3N2)-like virus; and
- a B/Tokyo/EIS13-175/2025 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
Cell culture-, recombinant protein- or nucleic acid-based vaccines:
- an A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Darwin/1415/2025 (H3N2)-like virus; and
- a B/Pennsylvania/14/2025 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
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 website of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The AIVC recommendation for the composition of influenza vaccines for Australia in 2027 aligns with the recommendations for the 2026/27 northern hemisphere recommendation. However, it differs from the 2026 southern hemisphere with the inclusion of 2 new strains for the A(H3N2) and B Victoria lineage virus component.
The recommendation made by AIVC aligns with the WHO recommendations (Recommendations announced for influenza vaccine composition for the 2027 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.