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News
The FDA's vaccine advisory panel has unanimously recommended the influenza strains to be included in egg-based trivalent flu vaccines for the 2027 Southern Hemisphere season — H1N1, H3N2, and influenza B. The decision mirrors the Northern Hemisphere strain selection, with advisers noting little has changed. Meanwhile, current US flu activity remains low heading into fall.
The FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) voted 9-0 to recommend the virus strains that should go into egg-based trivalent flu vaccines for the 2027 Southern Hemisphere influenza season. The recommended strains — H1N1, H3N2, and influenza B — closely mirror those already selected for the Northern Hemisphere, with advisers noting the decision was straightforward given the minimal strain drift observed.
These recommendations are non-binding, but the FDA typically follows them. The move comes after the agency notably skipped an advisory committee vote when selecting strains for the 2025–2026 US flu season due to a canceled meeting. Approved Southern Hemisphere vaccine producers for the US market include Sanofi (Fluzone) and CSL Seqirus (Afluria).
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Strain selection is the critical first step in flu vaccine production, setting the course for manufacturers months in advance. Getting it right — and early — is essential for ensuring vaccines are well-matched to circulating viruses when flu season peaks.
