Vaccine Science

Understanding the Flu Vaccine for the Southern Hemisphere

By Published Last reviewed

Corporate Care has been at the forefront of workplace flu vaccination (opens in new tab) programs for over a decade. We stay up-to-date with the latest research and developments in flu vaccines to ensure that we provide our clients with the most effective protection possible

The flu, also called influenza, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus (opens in new tab). Each year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) (opens in new tab) meets twice to discuss and recommend the strains of influenza that should be included in the upcoming flu vaccine for both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. 

The Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (opens in new tab) (AIVC) is responsible for considering the WHO’s recommendations and deciding which strains should be included in the Australian flu vaccine.

Corporate Care has been running workplace flu vaccination programs for over a decade. We stay up-to-date with the latest research and developments in flu vaccines to ensure we provide our clients with the most effective protection possible. 

From the 2026 flu season, every seasonal influenza vaccine available in Australia is trivalent — three strains — after the WHO and the AIVC dropped B/Yamagata from the seasonal mix (NCIRS (opens in new tab)). In our workplace clinics, we deliver the egg-based inactivated injectable trivalent vaccine, carrying the current-season strains so you and your team are protected against what’s actually circulating.

We also provide detailed information about the flu vaccine on our website (opens in new tab)should you or your staff want to know more about the vaccine.

For the science of how each season’s strains are chosen, see what goes into each year’s flu vaccine.

The Importance of Staying Up-to-Date with Influenza Strains

A cluster of tall concrete grain silos in the Australian wheat belt at golden hour, 'LAST YEAR'S WON'T CUT IT' painted large across the nearest silo in bold silo-art lettering, a teal-roofed shed and a rail line at the base, golden wattle in the foreground.
Last year’s won’t cut it. The strains shift every season, so the vaccine is reformulated each year – protection means getting the current one.

It’s important to note that influenza viruses are constantly changing, which is why the flu vaccine is updated annually. The WHO and other national and international experts closely monitor the circulating influenza viruses throughout the year and meet twice a year to discuss and recommend the strains that should be included in the upcoming flu vaccine.

Representatives from all regions of the world, including virologists, epidemiologists, and public health experts, are attending the meetings. They review data on influenza virus circulation and genetic characteristics and recommend the vaccine composition for the next northern and southern hemisphere influenza seasons.

At Corporate Care, we are committed to providing our clients with the most up-to-date information and protection against influenza. We also write and study flu to provide valuable information for our clients.

 

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Corporate Care acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands across Australia on which we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community.