Each year the World Health Organization (WHO), along with a specific team of collaborating researchers, makes recommendations on which virus strains the influenza vaccine should include for the following year. They do this by monitoring which virus strains are circulating around the world, and making a prediction on which strains will circulate the following season.
Once the vaccine strains have been decided, WHO then prepare the virus for use in manufacturing the vaccine. The vaccine will undergo multiple tests to ensure it will protect against the specified strain and is safe for use. Then these strains are sent to vaccine manufacturers for mass creation. It usually takes between 5 – 6 months to manufacture an influenza vaccine.
For further information about flu vaccination, speak with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
3. Department of Health. Australian Immunisation Handbook - Influenza. Available at: https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/vaccine-preventable-diseases/influenza-flu (accessed 28 May 2024).
6. World Health Organization. Pandemic influenza vaccine manufacturing process and timeline. Available at: www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/h1n1_vaccine_20090806/en/ (accessed 28 May 2024).
MAT-AU-2102449-2.0 Date of preparation May 2024
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