Preparing for the 2025 Flu Season: Key Updates and Insights

As we approach the 2025 flu season, it’s essential to reflect on the developments of recent years and look ahead to the changes shaping influenza vaccination strategies. Workplace flu vaccination programs remain an invaluable tool for protecting employees and maintaining productivity, and we’re here to ensure your team is well-prepared.

Looking Back: What We Learned in 2024

In 2024, Australian flu vaccination programs predominantly relied on cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccines (QIVs). These vaccines offered comprehensive protection by targeting four strains of influenza, including the B/Yamagata lineage virus. While QIVs have been a cornerstone of flu vaccination strategies, recent insights from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee (AIVC) suggest a significant shift is on the horizon.

The Transition from QIV to TIV: What’s Happening?

Although Australia is not transitioning to Trivalent Influenza Vaccines (TIVs) this year, the shift is expected to take place in 2026, following recommendations from the WHO and the AIVC. This change reflects a growing consensus to streamline vaccines by removing the B/Yamagata lineage component.

  • Why Remove B/Yamagata?
    The B/Yamagata lineage virus has not been detected in circulation since March 2020. With no confirmed cases in recent years, the WHO has determined that the inclusion of this strain is no longer necessary. The AIVC supports this position, emphasizing that removing B/Yamagata will simplify vaccine composition without compromising protection.
  • What Does This Mean for 2025?
    For now, cell-based QIVs will remain the standard for flu vaccinations in Australia, including for workplace programs. These vaccines continue to provide broad protection against the most prevalent influenza strains, including:

    • A/Wisconsin/67/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
    • A/District of Columbia/27/2023 (H3N2)-like virus
    • B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus
    • B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.

By 2026, TIVs will likely replace QIVs as the primary flu vaccine in Australia.

Why Choose Workplace Vaccination Programs?

Workplace flu vaccination programs continue to play a vital role in protecting employees and maintaining business continuity during flu season. The benefits of offering cell-based QIVs include:

  1. Comprehensive Protection:
    QIVs provide coverage against four key strains of influenza, ensuring robust defence against potential outbreaks.
  2. Convenience and Accessibility:
    Onsite vaccinations eliminate the need for employees to schedule external appointments, making it easier to protect your workforce.
  3. Cost-Effective Health Management:
    By preventing flu-related illnesses, workplace vaccination programs reduce absenteeism, healthcare costs, and productivity losses.
  4. Preparedness for the Future:
    As the transition to TIVs approaches, workplace programs will remain a reliable platform for delivering updated vaccines in line with global recommendations.

Plan Ahead: Book Your Workplace Vaccinations Today

Flu season waits for no one. Now is the perfect time to schedule your workplace flu vaccination program for 2025. With cell-based QIVs available, you can protect your team with a proven and effective solution.

Let’s make 2025 a year of health, resilience, and productivity. Partner with us to safeguard your workforce and ensure your business thrives during flu season.