US FDA advisers recommend flu vaccine strains for 2027 Southern Hemisphere season
XLV•An FDA advisory committee unanimously recommended H1N1, H3N2 and influenza B strains for egg-based trivalent flu vaccines for the 2027 Southern Hemisphere season. The non-binding recommendation was supported by all nine voting members.
1. Unanimous recommendation
The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee recommended that manufacturers include H1N1, H3N2 and influenza B strains in egg-based trivalent vaccines for the 2027 Southern Hemisphere season. All nine voting members supported the recommendation, which is non-binding; the FDA generally follows committee advice but is not legally required to do so.
2. US flu activity
The CDC said seasonal influenza activity is currently low. As of September 18, 31,363 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations had been reported for the 2025-26 season, which the agency estimates resulted in 32 million to 57 million illnesses through May 23.
