What Australian Businesses Need to Know
As we look ahead to the 2027 flu season, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has accepted the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee’s (AIVC) recommendations for the composition of influenza vaccines to be used in Australia.
Each year, influenza vaccines are reviewed and updated to reflect the viruses expected to circulate during the upcoming season. For Australian businesses planning their annual workplace flu vaccination programs, understanding these updates is an important first step in preparing for 2027.
So, what’s changing, and what does it mean for your workplace?
What is the recommended 2027 flu vaccine composition?
The AIVC has recommended the following virus strains for trivalent influenza vaccines used in Australia during the 2027 Southern Hemisphere influenza season.
Egg-based influenza vaccines
The recommended composition is:
- A(H1N1)pdm09: A/Missouri/11/2025-like virus
- A(H3N2): A/Darwin/1454/2025-like virus
- B/Victoria lineage: B/Tokyo/EIS13-175/2025-like virus
Cell culture-, recombinant protein- or nucleic acid-based influenza vaccines
The recommended composition is:
- A(H1N1) pdm09: A/Missouri/11/2025-like virus
- A(H3N2): A/Darwin/1415/2025-like virus
- B/Victoria lineage: B/Pennsylvania/14/2025-like virus
The recommended strains differ slightly depending on the vaccine production method. This is because different virus strains may be better suited to different manufacturing processes while providing the necessary characteristics for vaccine production.
The 2027 recommendations retain the same H1N1 component as the 2026 Southern Hemisphere formulation, while introducing updated H3N2 and B/Victoria lineage components.
These recommendations were announced by the TGA on 9 October 2026 and align with the World Health Organization’s recommendations for the 2027 Southern Hemisphere influenza season.
Why does the flu vaccine change every year?
Influenza viruses continually evolve, and the strains circulating in the community can change from one season to the next.
To help keep seasonal vaccines relevant, the World Health Organization (WHO) reviews global influenza surveillance data and makes recommendations for vaccine composition twice a year — once for the Northern Hemisphere and once for the Southern Hemisphere.
These reviews consider factors such as:
- The influenza viruses circulating in Australia and internationally.
- Genetic and antigenic changes in influenza strains.
- Evidence about immune responses to previous vaccine formulations.
- The availability of suitable candidate viruses for vaccine production.
The aim is to ensure that seasonal influenza vaccines target the strains most likely to circulate during the upcoming season.
Although vaccination cannot prevent every influenza infection, it remains an important way to reduce the risk of influenza and its potentially serious complications.
Why are Australian flu vaccines now trivalent?
Australia transitioned to trivalent influenza vaccines for the 2026 season, and this continues in 2027.
Previously, quadrivalent vaccines contained four influenza virus components: two influenza A strains and two influenza B lineage strains. Trivalent vaccines contain three components:
- One influenza A(H1N1) strain.
- One influenza A(H3N2) strain.
- One influenza B/Victoria lineage strain.
The change follows the absence of naturally circulating B/Yamagata lineage viruses detected since March 2020. The WHO has advised that including a B/Yamagata component in seasonal influenza vaccines is no longer warranted.
Trivalent vaccines therefore focus on the influenza A and B/Victoria components considered relevant to current seasonal vaccine recommendations.
Why is workplace flu vaccination important?
Influenza can affect people of all ages and may cause significant illness, hospitalisation and time away from work. In a business environment, an influenza outbreak can also disrupt operations, affect productivity and place additional pressure on employees who remain at work.
Workplace flu vaccination programs offer businesses a convenient way to make annual vaccination accessible to their teams.
Benefits of an organised workplace program include:
- Convenience for employees: On-site clinics make vaccination accessible without requiring employees to organise a separate appointment.
- Workforce planning: Scheduling clinics in advance helps businesses prepare for the upcoming influenza season.
- Support for workplace wellbeing: Offering vaccination demonstrates a proactive approach to employee health and wellbeing.
- Reduced disruption: Helping employees access vaccination may contribute to reducing the impact of influenza on the workforce, although vaccination cannot guarantee that infections or absences will be prevented.
Workplace vaccination can be particularly valuable in environments where employees work closely together or regularly interact with customers, patients or other members of the public.
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone aged six months and older, subject to individual medical considerations. It is especially important for people at increased risk of severe influenza and those who live or work with vulnerable individuals.
When should businesses plan their 2027 flu vaccinations?
Planning ahead can help businesses secure suitable clinic dates, communicate with employees and coordinate their vaccination program around operational requirements.
Many Australian workplaces arrange influenza vaccination clinics between late March and June. However, the ideal timing will depend on the business, workforce, location and anticipated influenza activity.
Influenza can circulate throughout the year, so businesses should consider current public health advice when deciding when to schedule their program.
Starting the planning process early gives your organisation more time to coordinate clinic logistics, promote employee participation and make the vaccination process as straightforward as possible.
Prepare your workplace for the 2027 flu season with VaxWorks
At VaxWorks, we help Australian businesses organise workplace flu vaccination programs tailored to their workforce and operational needs.
Whether you’re planning a clinic for a small team or coordinating vaccination across multiple sites, our team can help you plan a convenient and professionally coordinated program.
Getting started early can make it easier to organise suitable dates and prepare your employees for the season ahead.
Ready to plan your 2027 workplace flu vaccination program?
Contact VaxWorks to discuss your requirements and request a quote for your 2027 workplace flu vaccination clinic.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the recommended composition of influenza vaccines for the 2027 Australian influenza season. Vaccine availability, eligibility and funding arrangements may vary. For individual medical advice, speak with a qualified healthcare professional. Refer to current Australian Government guidance for the latest vaccination recommendations.
Official source: Therapeutic Goods Administration – AIVC Recommendations for the Composition of Influenza Vaccines for Australia in 2027.
