Vaccine composition
Vaccine composition
The World Health Organisation (WHO) makes annual recommendations on the compositions of influenza vaccines for each hemisphere. These are based on the available data on the antigenic and genetic characteristics of recently circulating viruses and antibody responses to recent vaccines.
The recommendations from each WHO meeting are given below.
February 2024
The WHO recommends that trivalent vaccines for use in the 2024-2025 northern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:
For egg-based vaccines
- an A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Thailand/8/2022 (H3N2)-like virus; and
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
For cell culture- or recombinant-based vaccines
- an A/Wisconsin/67/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Massachusetts/18/2022 (H3N2)-like virus; and
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
For quadrivalent egg- or cell culture-based or recombinant vaccines for use in the 2024-2025 northern hemisphere influenza season, while the B/Yamagata lineage vaccine component should be excluded as it is no longer warranted, where quadrivalent vaccines are still in use, the B/Yamagata lineage component remains unchanged:
For egg-, cell- or recombinant-based vaccines
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
Earlier recommendations
February 2023
The WHO recommended that trivalent vaccines for use in the 2023-2024 northern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:
For egg-based vaccines
- an A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus; and
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
For Cell culture- or recombinant-based vaccines
- an A/Wisconsin/67/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus; and
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus
For quadrivalent egg- or cell culture-based or recombinant vaccines for use in the 2023-2024 northern hemisphere influenza season, the WHO recommends inclusion of the following as the B/Yamagata lineage component:
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
The recommendation has been published on the WHO website.
September 2023
The WHO recommends that trivalent vaccines for use in the 2024 southern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:
For egg-based vaccines
- an A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Thailand/8/2022 (H3N2)-like virus; and
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
For cell culture- or recombinant-based vaccines
- an A/Wisconsin/67/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Massachusetts/18/2022 (H3N2)-like virus; and
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
For quadrivalent egg- or cell culture-based or recombinant vaccines for use in 2024 southern hemisphere influenza season, the WHO recommends inclusion of the following B/Yamagata lineage component:
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
The recommendation has been published on the WHO website.
February 2022
In February 2022, the WHO recommended that quadrivalent influenza vaccines in use for the northern hemisphere winter 2022/2023 influenza season contain:
For egg-based vaccines
- an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus,
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus, and
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
For cell- or recombinant-based vaccines
- an A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus,
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus, and
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
It was recommended that trivalent influenza vaccines for use in the 2022/2023 northern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:
For egg-based vaccines
- an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus, and
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
For cell- or recombinant-based vaccines
- an A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus, and
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
The recommendation has been published on the WHO website and has been published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record vol. 97, 109-132.
September 2022
In September 2022, the WHO recommended that quadrivalent influenza vaccines in use for the southern hemisphere winter 2023 influenza season contain:
For egg-based vaccines
- an A/Sydney/5/2021 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus,
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus, and
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
For cell- or recombinant-based vaccines
- an A/Sydney/5/2021 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus,
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus, and
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
It was recommended that trivalent influenza vaccines for use in the 2023 southern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:
For egg-based vaccines
- an A/Sydney/5/2021 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus, and
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
For cell- or recombinant-based vaccines
- A/Sydney/5/2021 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus, and
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
The recommendation has been published on the WHO website and will be published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record
February 2021
In February 2021, the WHO recommended that quadrivalent influenza vaccines in use for the influenza season (northern hemisphere winter 2021/2022) contain:
For egg-based vaccines
- an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Cambodia/e0826360/2020 (H3N2)-like virus,
- a B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus, and
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
For cell- or recombinant-based vaccines
- an A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Cambodia/e0826360/2020 (H3N2)-like virus,
- a B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus, and
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
It was recommended that trivalent influenza vaccines for use in the 2021/2022 northern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:
For egg-based vaccine
- an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Cambodia/e0826360/2020 (H3N2)-like virus, and
- a B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
for cell- or recombinant-based vaccines
- an A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Cambodia/e0826360/2020 (H3N2)-like virus, and
- a B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
The recommendation has been published on the WHO website and has been published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record vol 96, pp 77-88.
September 2021
In September 2021, the WHO recommended that quadrivalent influenza vaccines in use for the southern hemisphere influenza season 2022 contain:
For egg-based vaccines
- an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus,
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus, and
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
For cell- or recombinant-based vaccines
- an A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus,
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus, and
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
It was recommended that trivalent influenza vaccines for use in the 2022 southern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:
For egg-based vaccines
- an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus, and
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
For cell- or recombinant-based vaccines
- an A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus, and
- a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
The recommendation has been published on the WHO website and has been published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record vol. 42, 509-520.
February 2020
In February 2020, the WHO recommended that quadrivalent influenza vaccines in use for the influenza season (northern hemisphere winter 2020/2021) contain:
For egg-based vaccines
- an A/Guangdong-Maonan/SWL1536/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Hong Kong/2671/2019(H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Washington/02/2019-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus; and
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like (B/Yamagata lineage) virus.
For cell- or recombinant-based vaccines
- an A/Hawaii/70/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Hong Kong/45/2019 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus; and
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
It is recommended that trivalent vaccines for use in the 2020/2021 northern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:
For egg-based vaccines
- an A/Guangdong-Maonan/SWL1536/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Hong Kong/2671/2019 (H3N2)-like virus; and
- a B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
For cell- or recombinant-based vaccines
- an A/Hawaii/70/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Hong Kong/45/2019 (H3N2)-like virus; and
- a B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
The recommendation has been published on the WHO website and has been published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record Vol 95, 105-116.
September 2020
In September 2020, the WHO recommended that quadrivalent influenza vaccines in use for the influenza season (southern hemisphere winter 2021) contain:
For egg-based vaccines
- an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Hong Kong/2671/2019 (H3N2)-like virus,
- a B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus, and
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
For cell- or recombinant-based vaccines
- an A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Hong Kong/45/2019 (H3N2)-like virus,
- a B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus, and
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
It was recommended that trivalent influenza vaccines for use in the 2021 southern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:
For egg-based vaccines
- an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Hong Kong/2671/2019 (H3N2)-like virus, and
- a B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
for cell- or recombinant-based vaccines
- an A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus,
- an A/Hong Kong/45/2019 (H3N2)-like virus, and
- a B/Washington/02/2019 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
The recommendation has been published on the WHO website and was published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record Vol 95, 497-508.
February/March 2019
In February 2019, the WHO recommended that egg-based quadrivalent influenza vaccines in use for the influenza season (northern hemisphere winter 2019/2020) contain:
- an A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus;
- a B/Colorado/06/2017-like virus;
- but no recommendation was made at that time for the H3N2 component.
It was recommended that egg-based trivalent vaccines for use in the Northern Hemisphere winter 2019/2020 influenza season contain the following:
- an A/Brisbane/02/2017 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- a B/Colorado/06/2017-like virus (B/Victoria/2/87 lineage);
- but no recommendation was made at that time for the H3N2 component.
In March 2019 it was recommended that:
- that the H3N2 component of trivalent and quadrivalent influenza vaccines should contain an A/Kansas/14/2017 (H3N2)-like virus.
The recommendation has been published on the WHO website and in the Weekly Epidemiological Record, Vol 94, 141-160.
September 2019
In September 2019, the WHO recommended that quadrivalent influenza vaccines in use for the influenza season (southern hemisphere winter 2020) contain:
- an A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/South Australia/34/2019 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Washington/02/2019-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus; and
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like (B/Yamagata lineage) virus.
It is recommended that trivalent vaccines for use in the 2020 southern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:
- an A/Brisbane/02/2018 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/South Australia/34/2019 (H3N2)-like virus; and
- a B/Washington/02/2019-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus.
The recommendation has been published on the WHO website and in the Weekly Epidemiological Record, Vol 94, 473-496.
February 2018
In February 2018, the WHO recommended that quadrivalent influenza vaccines in use for the influenza season (northern hemisphere winter 2018/2019) contain:
- an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus
- a B/Colorado/06/2017-like virus.
It is recommended that the influenza B virus component of trivalent vaccines for use in the 2018-2019 northern hemisphere influenza season be a B/Colorado/06/2017-like virus of the B/Victoria/2/87-lineage. The recommendation has been published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record Vol 93, 133-152.
September 2018
In September 2018, the WHO recommended that egg-based quadrivalent influenza vaccines in use for the influenza season (southern hemisphere winter 2019) contain:
- an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Switzerland/8060/2017 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus;
- a B/Colorado/06/2017-like virus.
It is recommended that egg-based trivalent vaccines for use in the 2019 southern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:
- an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Switzerland/8060/2017 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Colorado/06/2017-like virus (B/Victoria/2/87 lineage).
It is recommended that the A(H3N2) component of non-egg based vaccines for use in the 2019 southern hemisphere influenza season be an A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016-like virus together with the other vaccine components as indicated above.
The recommendation has been published on the WHO website and in the Weekly Epidemiological Record Vol 93, 553-576.
February/March 2017
In March 2017, the WHO recommended that influenza vaccines in use for the 2017/2018 influenza season (northern hemisphere winter) contain:
- an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
It was also recommended that quadrivalent vaccines containing two influenza B viruses contain the above three viruses and a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus.
The recommendation has been published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record Vol 92, 117-128.
September 2017
In September 2017, the WHO recommended that influenza vaccines in use for the influenza season (southern hemisphere winter) contain:
- an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Singapore/INFIMH-16-0019/2016 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus.
It was also recommended that quadrivalent vaccines containing two influenza B viruses contain the above three viruses and a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
The recommendation has been published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record Vol 92, 625-633
February 2016
In February 2016, the WHO recommended that influenza vaccines in use for the 2016/2017 influenza season (northern hemisphere winter) contain:
- an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
It was also recommended that quadrivalent vaccines containing two influenza B viruses contain the above three viruses and a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus.
The report is available online and has been published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record Vol 91, 121-132.
September 2016
In September 2016, the WHO recommended that influenza vaccines in use for the 2017 influenza season (southern hemisphere winter) contain:
- an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
It was also recommended that quadrivalent vaccines containing two influenza B viruses contain the above three viruses and a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus.
The report has been published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record Vol 91, 469-484.
September 2015
In September 2015, the WHO recommended that influenza vaccines in use for the 2016 influenza season (southern hemisphere winter) contain:
- an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
It was also recommended that quadrivalent vaccines containing two influenza B viruses contain the above three viruses and a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus.
The report is available online and has been published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record Vol 90, 561-576.
February 2015
In February 2015, the WHO recommended that influenza vaccines in use for the 2015/2016 influenza season (northern hemisphere winter) contain:
- an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Switzerland/9715293/2013 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus.
It was also recommended that quadrivalent vaccines containing two influenza B viruses contain the above three viruses and a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
The report is available online and has been published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record Vol 90, 93-104.
February 2014
In February 2014, the WHO recommended that influenza vaccines in use for the 2014/2015 influenza season (northern hemisphere winter) contain:
- an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Texas/50/2012 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Massachusetts/2/2012-like virus.
It was also recommended that quadrivalent vaccines containing two influenza B viruses contain the above three viruses and a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
The report has been published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record Vol 89, 105-116.
September 2014
In September 2013 the WHO recommended that trivalent vaccines for use in the 2014 influenza season (southern hemisphere winter) contain the following:
- an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Switzerland/9715293/2013 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus.
It was recommended that quadrivalent vaccines containing two influenza B viruses contain the above three viruses and a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
The report has been published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record Vol 89, 441-456
February 2013
In February 2013 the WHO recommended that trivalent vaccines for use in the 2013-14 influenza season (northern hemisphere winter) contain the following:
- an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A(H3N2) virus antigenically like the cell-propagated prototype virus A/Victoria/361/2011;
- a B/Massachusetts/2/2012-like virus.
It was recommended that quadrivalent vaccines containing two influenza B viruses contain the above three viruses and a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virusc.
The report was published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record Vol 88, 101-116.
September 2013
In September 2013 the WHO recommended that trivalent vaccines for use in the 2014 influenza season (southern hemisphere winter) contain the following:
- an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Texas/50/2012 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Massachusetts/2/2012-like virus.
It was recommended that quadrivalent vaccines containing two influenza B viruses contain the above three viruses and a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
The report was published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record Vol 88, 437-448
February 2012
In February 2012 WHO recommended that vaccines for use in the 2012-2013 influenza season (northern hemisphere winter) contain the following:
- an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus;
- a B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like virus.
The report was published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record Vol 87, 81-96.
September 2012
In September 2012 the WHO recommended that vaccines for use in the 2012 influenza season (southern hemisphere) contain the following:
- an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
- an A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus; -
- a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.
The report was published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record Vol 87, 389-400.
February 2011
In February 2011, the WHO recommended that influenza vaccines in use for the 2011-2012 influenza season (northern hemisphere winter) contain:
- an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus
- an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus
- a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus (WER 2011, 86, 81-91: Weekly Epidemiological Record)
Weekly Epidemiological Record 86, 81-91 Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2011-2012 northern hemisphere influenza season.
September 2011
In September 2011, the WHO recommended that influenza vaccines in use for the 2012 influenza season (southern hemisphere winter) contain:
- an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus
- an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus
- a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus (WER 2011, 86, 457-468: Weekly Epidemiological Record)
Weekly Epidemiological Record 86, 457-468. Recommended composition of influenza vaccines for use in the 2012 southern hemisphere influenza season.
February 2010
In February 2010, the WHO recommended that influenza vaccines for use in the 2010/2011 influenza season (northern hemisphere winter) contain:
- an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus
- an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus
- a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus
(WER 2010, 85, 81-92: Weekly Epidemiological Record)
September 2010
In September 2010, the WHO recommended that influenza vaccines for use in the 2011 influenza season (southern hemisphere winter) contain:
- an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus
- an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus
- a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus
(WER 2010, 85, 401-412: Weekly Epidemiological Record)
February 2009
In February 2009, the WHO recommended that influenza vaccines for use in the 2009 - 2010 influenza season (northern hemisphere winter) contain:
- an A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1)-like virus
- A/South Dakota/6/2007 (an A/Brisbane/59/2007-like virus) is a current vaccine virus used in live attenuated vaccines
- an A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like virus
- A/Brisbane/10/2007 and A/Uruguay/716/2007 (an A/Brisbane/10/2007-like virus) are current vaccine viruses
- a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus
- B/Brisbane/33/2008 is a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus
(WER 2009, 84, 65-72; Weekly Epidemiological Record)
September 2009
In September 2009, the WHO recommended that influenza vaccines for use in the 2010 influenza season (southern hemisphere winter) contain:
- an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus
- an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus
- a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus
(WER 2009, 84, 421-432; Weekly Epidemiological Record)