(AGENPARL) - Roma, 24 Febbraio 2026 - (AGENPARL) – Tue 24 February 2026 No images? Click here https://hq_who_departmentofcommunications.cmail19.com/t/d-e-gdtdlul-iitylyihjr-u/
Tuesday, 24 February 2026
MEDIA ADVISORY
WHO information meeting and virtual press conference: influenza vaccine composition for the 2026-2027 northern hemisphere season
The World Health Organization (WHO) will hold an information meeting and a press conference following the WHO consultation on the composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2026–2027 northern hemisphere influenza season. A news release will also be shared ahead of the press conference.
When: Friday, 27 February 2026
Speakers at the press conference:
Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, Director ad interim, Epidemic and Pandemic Management, WHODr Wenqing Zhang, Head, Global Respiratory Threats, WHOProfessor Nicola Lewis, Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UKDr Richard Webby, Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals and Birds, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, United States of America
About the briefings
During these briefings, WHO will announce the updated recommended composition of seasonal influenza vaccines for the upcoming season. Panellists, including experts from the WHO Collaborating Centres, will present the scientific evidence, and provide an update on the most recent influenza season, including the new ‘subclade K’ variant, and projections for the upcoming influenza season.
WHO will also announce updates to candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs) for zoonotic influenza (‘bird’ and ‘swine flu’). These CVVs support global pandemic preparedness efforts by enabling the timely development of vaccines, should a new influenza pandemic arise.
Influenza viruses constantly evolve, making it necessary to update vaccine composition periodically. Twice a year, WHO issues updated recommendations of vaccine composition, following consultations with an advisory group of experts from the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) using data generated by GISRS and partners.
Note to journalists
Please ensure you enter your name and media outlet (use name/outlet). Kindly note, only questions from media are allowed. When you sign in you will be automatically put in the meeting room.
WHO reserves the right to remove any participant whose behaviour causes any disruption.
To ask a question, please click “raise hand” and this will enter you into the queue for questions (it can be found under the tab: participants) or use the chat function on Zoom clearly indicating your media outlet.
Please make sure you have a microphone connected or active on your computer. Do not ask questions via the chat as we cannot guarantee that we can incorporate them into the Q&A session.
Media contact: