(AGENPARL) – ven 24 febbraio 2023 WHO Media
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Friday, 24 February 2023
News Release
Recommendations announced for
influenza vaccine composition for the 2023-2024 northern hemisphere influenza season
Zoonotic/Avian Influenza
The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced the recommendations for the viral composition of influenza vaccines for the 2023-2024 influenza season in the northern hemisphere. The announcement was made at an information session at the end of a [4-day meeting on the Composition of Influenza Virus Vaccines](https://worldhealthorganization.cmail20.com/t/d-l-zdhdlyk-iitylyihjr-r/), a meeting that is held twice annually.
The WHO organizes these consultations with an advisory group of experts gathered from WHO Collaboration Centres and WHO Essential Regulatory Laboratories to analyse influenza virus surveillance data generated by the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System. The recommendations issued are used by the national vaccine regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical companies to develop, produce, and license influenza vaccines for the following influenza season.
The periodic update of viruses contained in influenza vaccines is necessary for the vaccines to be effective due to the constant evolving nature of influenza viruses, including those circulating and infecting humans.
The WHO recommends that quadrivalent vaccines for use in the 2023-2024 northern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:
Egg-based vaccines
– an A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
– an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus; and
– a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
Cell culture- or recombinant-based vaccines
– an A/Wisconsin/67/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
– an A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus;
– a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
The WHO recommends that trivalent vaccines for use in the 2023-2024 influenza season in the northern hemisphere contain the following:
Egg-based vaccines
– an A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
– an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus; and
Cell culture- or recombinant-based vaccines
– an A/Wisconsin/67/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like vi;
– an A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus; and
POST VPC AUDIO FILE
Please find below link to the audio files from the Virtual Press Conference where the recommendations were discussed earlier today.
Press conference:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw2CImxYacE](https://worldhealthorganization.cmail20.com/t/d-l-zdhdlyk-iitylyihjr-y/)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itEdjJSO3eU](https://worldhealthorganization.cmail20.com/t/d-l-zdhdlyk-iitylyihjr-j/)
Speakers were:
– Dr Sylvie BRIAND, Director, WHO Director, Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention
– Dr Wenqing ZHANG, Head, WHO Global Influenza Programme (GIP)
– Dr Kanta SUBBARAO, Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, Victoria Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL), Australia
– Dr Richard WEBBY, Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, USA
– Dr Franceso BONFANTE Expert, FAO, WOAH and OFFLU
– Dr David WENTWORTH, Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for the Surveillance, Epidemiology and Control of Influenza, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA
You will find the recordings of the [WHO Information Meeting on the Composition of Influenza Virus Vaccines for Use in the 2023-2024 Northern Hemisphere Influenza Season](https://worldhealthorganization.cmail20.com/t/d-l-zdhdlyk-iitylyihjr-t/) held earlier today in Geneva here:
Information meeting:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9i6GxRl744](https://worldhealthorganization.cmail20.com/t/d-l-zdhdlyk-iitylyihjr-i/)
OPENING REMARKS Press Briefing
Please find below the opening remarks by Dr Sylvie BRIAND on the reports of human H5N1 infections in Cambodia, as well as on the vaccine composition.
Dr Sylvie Briand, Director for Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, WHO
Good morning good afternoon and good evening
Before we get to the influenza vaccine composition, I would like to briefly address the reports of human H5N1 infections in Cambodia.
Cambodian authorities have informed us of 2 confirmed cases of avian influenza H5N1, both members of the same family. One of the cases – an 11 year old girl – unfortunately passed away.
We are in close communication with the Cambodian authorities to understand more about the outbreak. Field investigations are ongoing.
The global H5N1 situation is worrying given the wide spread of the virus in birds around the world, and the increasing reports of cases in mammals, including humans.
H5N1 influenza is a severe respiratory disease, with a range of symptoms observed, from mild to fatal. The mortality rate among cases reported with H5N1 infection over the years is over 50%.
WHO takes the risk from this virus seriously and urges heightened vigilance from all countries.