CSL Seqirus this morning confirmed that its 2023 influenza vaccines are now available for supply on the private market in Australia to vaccination providers including pharmacists and GPs.
The company said it was accelerating supply as the number of local cases rise, with more than eight million flu vaccines to be supplied to private providers and the National Immunisation Program (NIP).
More than 12,783 confirmed flu cases have been diagnosed as of 20 Mar 2023, according to the Department of Health - a level not reached until early May last year.
"Flu is unpredictable so we never know exactly when the season might begin or when cases might peak," said CSL Seqirus Director, Influenza, Natasha Rees.
"Vaccination typically begins in Apr to allow enough time for people to be vaccinated prior to the season, but we're pleased to have accelerated supply so that our vaccines are available now to private vaccination providers."
Rees noted that other Seqirus influenza vaccines are available on the NIP and will become available via GPs and pharmacists when the states roll out their NIP program.
The company said the volume of cases seen so far this year is more comparable to circulation patterns prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, with recent increases in international travel likely to be a contributor, according to CSL Seqirus Medical Director of Vaccines and Biosecurity, Julianne Bayliss.
All 2023 flu vaccines contain four strains, including two A and two B strains, based on recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.
Bayliss said CSL Seqirus was continuing to innovate in influenza vaccine technology, including the planned 2026 opening of a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Melbourne.
Flu samples are sent to the WHO research centre in Melbourne too.
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