CSL Seqirus boasts bigger batch of flu vaccines ahead of US flu season

CSL Seqirus, a unit of the Australian biopharma CSL, is touting a surplus of its influenza vaccines in the U.S. ahead of the upcoming flu season.

The expanded offerings are welcome news for parts of the U.S. and global market that have faced supply challenges after the World Health Organization recommended three strain changes for this year’s flu shots, the company said, adding that it “successfully implemented” the strain changes into its own annual manufacturing campaign, which has now wrapped up in time for the 2026 and 2027 season. 

CSL said the bulk of its customer orders have been shipped, with deliveries expected to play out ahead of schedule. In turn, the Seqirus unit says it has extra doses "readily available" for both customers and public health vaccination efforts. 

“We recognize the critical role reliable vaccine supply plays in supporting seasonal influenza vaccination and broad stakeholder efforts to improve vaccination rates," Stefan Merlo, CSL Seqirus vice president of commercial operations, said in a statement. “While supply challenges have been reported elsewhere in the market, CSL Seqirus has continued to deliver vaccines to customers nationwide ahead of schedule.”

The announcement is a likely shot of good news for CSL Seqirus, after its parent last October hit pause on a plan to separate the vaccine unit as part of an overall cost-cutting initiative announced earlier that year. The spinoff was stalled in part due to a turbulent influenza vaccine market in the U.S. marked by declining consumer demand.

Amid that spot of turbulence, the Seqirus unit last December opened the doors to a $1 billion cell-based influenza vaccine and antivenom facility in Melbourne, Australia.