Article · Health news

WHO announces influenza vaccine composition for the 2027 southern hemisphere season

Health news Published · sources checked

On 25 September 2026 the WHO announced which virus strains influenza vaccines should contain for the 2027 southern hemisphere season.

Key points

  • The WHO announced its recommendation for the 2027 southern hemisphere flu season on 25 September 2026, after a consultation held from 21 to 24 September.
  • This recommendation is for the southern hemisphere; the next one, for the 2027-28 northern hemisphere season, is due in February 2027.
  • The 2027 southern hemisphere viruses differ from those recommended for the 2026 southern hemisphere vaccine.

What was announced

On 25 September 2026 the World Health Organization (WHO) announced its recommendations for the virus strains in influenza vaccines for the 2027 southern hemisphere season. The recommendation followed a consultation held from 21 to 24 September 2026. National regulators and manufacturers use the recommendations in vaccine development and licensing.

For egg-based vaccines the WHO recommends an A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus, an A/Darwin/1454/2025 (H3N2)-like virus and a B/Tokyo/EIS13-175/2025 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.

What it means

The WHO says the 2027 southern hemisphere viruses differ from those recommended for the 2026 southern hemisphere vaccine, and that they match the components recommended for the 2026-27 northern hemisphere vaccine. A separate recommendation for the 2027-28 northern hemisphere season is planned for February 2027.

More guides and news

Educational content. This article summarises public guidance and announcements in plain English for education. It is not medical advice and it cannot say what is right for you: speak to a clinician about your own health, call NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do and 999 in an emergency.