CONSUMER MEDIA RELEASE
- To date, there have beenover 46,300lab-confirmed influenza cases in Australia, more than 50% higher than the previous record of flu cases in Australia during the first quarter (January – March 2024).1
- The Northern Hemisphere has just experienced a significant influenza season with some UK hospitals overwhelmed by the winter peak and the US recording the largest influenza season since the 2009 Swine Flu Pandemic.2-4
- Influenza vaccines have been released in preparation for Australia’s 2025 influenza flu season, including from CSL Seqirus’ Melbourne manufacturing facility.
Melbourne, Australia 1 April – CSL Seqirus has announced that it has released over 7 million influenza (flu) vaccine doses to help Australians prepare for a potentially challenging flu season.
To date there have beenover46,300 lab-confirmedcases in Australia, the most ever recorded for this time of year. 1 This is more than 50% higher than the previous record of approximately 30,000 cases recorded in January – March 2024.1
In 2024, Australia had more than 365,000 reported influenza cases and over 4,200 people admitted to hospital, making it Australia’s biggest flu season since 2019.5,6 Between January and August 2024, there were 810 deaths related to flu, compared to 416 flu-related deaths in the same period the previous year.5Modelling suggests the true burden of flu may be even higher than reported.7
The Northern Hemisphere has also just experienced a significant flu season with some UK hospitals overwhelmed by the winter peak and the US recording the largest flu season since the 2009 Swine Flu Pandemic.2,3
Dr Jules Bayliss, Medical Director for Vaccines and Biosecurity, CSL Seqirus, said that annual flu vaccination is an important public health intervention.
“Flu is unpredictable but the data shows that the virus is already circulating and notifications are increasing. We don’t know when cases will peak, which is why we've worked hard to ensure our vaccines are available to help protect people. 5,7
“This year, we manufactured an extra 100,000 flu vaccines to ensure there were enough doses for every person who wants to be vaccinated. It’s always a source of pride to know that flu vaccines, including those manufactured in Melbourne, are helping protect people from serious complications of flu, as well as helping reduce the burden on clinics and hospitals.”
Peter Guthrey, Senior Pharmacist with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, says the availability of flu vaccines is welcome news, especially with the late-season peak in cases recently seen in the Northern Hemisphere.5,7
“Lots of people in the US and UK have been sick with flu and this has continued late into their flu season. Influenza can spread around the world rapidly through international travel, so Australians need to be ready for the potential of a big flu season here.2,8,9
“Flu vaccination is recommended annually for everyone aged six months and older and it’s the most important measure to prevent flu and its complications.10 Flu cases are already on the rise so it’s important that people talk to their pharmacist or doctor early about influenza vaccination.”11
Australians should talk to their GP, pharmacist or community nurse to learn more about flu and their flu vaccine options.
ENDS
About Influenza
Influenza is a common viral infection that affects people of all ages.12 It can mean a week or two of symptoms and missing out on time with friends and loved ones as well as missed study, work or school. For some it can be a very serious disease that may lead to hospitalisation and sometimes even death.12
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Kerry Jung
| Hamish Walsh
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About CSL Seqirus
CSL Seqirus is part of CSL Limited (ASX: CSL). As one of the largest influenza vaccine providers in the world, CSL Seqirus is a major contributor to the prevention of influenza globally and a transcontinental partner in pandemic preparedness. With state-of-the-art production facilities in the U.S., the U.K. and Australia, and leading R&D capabilities, CSL Seqirus utilizes egg, cell and adjuvant technologies to offer a broad portfolio of differentiated influenza vaccines in more than 20 countries around the world.
In Australia, CSL Seqirus operates the only local manufacturing facility for seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccine, and produces a range of unique medicines in the national interest, including antivenoms and the world’s only human vaccine for Q fever.
About CSL
CSL (ASX: CSL; USOTC: CSLLY) is a leading global biotechnology company with a dynamic portfolio of lifesaving medicines, including those that treat haemophilia and immune deficiencies, as well as vaccines to prevent influenza. Since our start in 1916, we have been driven by our promise to save lives using the latest technologies. Today, CSL – including our three businesses, CSL Behring, CSL Seqirus and CSL Vifor – provides lifesaving products to patients in more than 100 countries and employs 30,000 people. Our unique combination of commercial strength, R&D focus and operational excellence enables us to identify, develop and deliver innovations so our patients can live life to the fullest.
Intended Audience
This press release is issued from CSL Seqirus is intended to provide genuine news information to consumer media. Please be aware that information relating to the approval status and labels of approved CSL Seqirus products may vary from country to country. Please consult your local regulatory authority on the approval status of CSL Seqirus products.
References
- National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. Influenza Activity Surveillance & Graph 2025. Immunisation Coalition. Accessed March 10, 2025. Available from: https://www.immunisationcoalition.org.au/news-data/influenza-statistics/
- World Health Organisation. Influenza Update N 513. Global Influenza Programme. February 12, 2025. Available from: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/influenza-update-n--513
- Clun, R. Multiple hospitals declare critical incidents over soaring flu cases as A&E patients face 50 hour waits. The Independent. January 8, 2025. Available from: http://independent.co.uk/news/health/royal-liverpool-hospital-critical-incident-flu-cold-winter-b2675013.html
- Associated Press. US flu season most intense in at least 15 years. VOA News. Accessed February 7, 2025. Available from: https://www.voanews.com/a/us-flu-season-most-intense-in-at-least-15-years-/7967118.html
- Viboud, C et al. Influenza epidemics in the United States, France, and Australia, 1972–1997. Emerg Infect Diseases. 2004;10(1):32–9. DOI: 10.3201/eid1001.030396.
- Muscatello, D et al. Vaccine vol. 39,52 (2021): 7578-7583. Accessed March 10 2025
- Geoghegan, JL et al. Continental synchronicity of human influenza virus epidemics despite climatic variation. PLoS Pathog. 2018 Jan 4;14(1):e1006780. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006780.
- Najera, RF. The 2025 Flu Season: The Most Intense in Over a Decade. History of Vaccines. Accessed February 9, 2025. Available from: https://historyofvaccines.org/blog/2025-flu-season-most-intense-over-decade
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia.Accessed March 10, 2025. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/tourism-and-transport/overseas-arrivals-and-departures-australia/latest-release
- Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). STATEMENT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF SEASONAL INFLUENZA VACCINES IN 2025. Accessed March 10, 2025. Available from: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/atagi-statement-on-the-administration-of-seasonal-influenza-vaccines-in-2025.pdf
- Australian Government. Department of Health and Aged Care. Immunisation Handbook. Accessed March 10, 2025. Available from: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/contents/vaccine-preventable-diseases/influenza-flu#overview
- Australian Government. Department of Health and Aged Care, 2025. Influenza Vaccination Consumer Fact Sheet. Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/2025-influenza-flu-vaccination-consumer-fact-sheet.pdf. Accessed February 2025.
Document number: AU-FLU-25-0023
Approved: March 2025
Key Facts:
- To date, there have beenover 46,300lab-confirmed influenza cases in Australia, more than 50% higher than the previous record of flu cases in Australia during the first quarter (January – March 2024).1
- The Northern Hemisphere has just experienced a significant influenza season with some UK hospitals overwhelmed by the winter peak and the US recording the largest influenza season since the 2009 Swine Flu Pandemic.2-4
- Influenza vaccines have been released in preparation for Australia’s 2025 influenza flu season, including from CSL Seqirus’ Melbourne manufacturing facility.
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