Lyla Lindsey
Australia has a strong reputation in vaccine research and development, and its vaccine manufacturing capacity has expanded internationally in recent years. The country has been taking steps to encourage people to get their flu shots, such as offering free vaccines in some states. However, the availability of free vaccines differs throughout the states and territories. The country's influenza vaccines are funded for specific groups under the National Immunisation Program, and states and territories also fund flu vaccines for various groups. While the country of manufacture for vaccines is not typically disclosed, Australia has benefited from the manufacturing capacity of CSL (formerly the government-owned Commonwealth Serum Laboratories).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | The country where a vaccine is made is not typically disclosed in the Product Information sheets. |
| Influenza vaccines | Funded for particular groups under the National Immunisation Program. |
| TGA registration | The TGA registers Australian Product Information sheets, which provide detailed information about each vaccine, including ingredients and reported adverse events. |
| Availability | Availability differs throughout the states and territories. |
| Cost | The vaccine is now being offered for free. |
| Dose | Influenza vaccine doses for all ages is 0.5 mL, except Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent, where the dose is 0.7 mL. |
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What You'll Learn
Flu vaccines are free in some Australian states
The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone aged six months and older in Australia. It is given annually to protect against the most common strains of the virus. The flu is a highly contagious infection of the airways, and while it affects people of all ages, it can be particularly severe for babies, young children, pregnant women, and those with underlying medical conditions.
In Australia, the flu vaccine is free for specific groups under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months and older, as well as individuals aged six months and older with underlying medical conditions that increase their risk of contracting a severe form of the disease. In addition, the NIP provides free flu vaccines for pregnant women and children under five years old.
While the flu vaccine is generally recommended for everyone aged six months and up, eligibility for a free vaccine under the NIP may vary depending on the state or territory. For instance, in New South Wales, a month-long blitz of free flu jabs was offered to anyone over six months old in June 2022. Similarly, Queensland offered free flu vaccinations to residents over six months of age during the same period. In South Australia, the state government provided free flu vaccines for all residents until June 30, 2022, whereas previously only certain groups such as young children and those with medical risk factors were eligible.
If you are not eligible for a free flu vaccine under the NIP, you can still purchase it from your healthcare provider or a pharmacy. It is important to note that flu vaccines are typically given as a needle injection in the upper arm, and side effects may include mild pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, which usually resolves without treatment within a few days.
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CSL's role in vaccine manufacturing
CSL Seqirus, a subsidiary of the Australian company CSL, is one of the world's largest influenza vaccine companies. CSL Seqirus operates state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities on three different continents and has a globally integrated supply chain for the timely supply of influenza vaccines to customers worldwide. The company employs both egg and cell-based manufacturing systems to ensure the availability of its influenza vaccines.
CSL Seqirus was formed when CSL acquired the Novartis influenza vaccine business and combined it with its vaccine subsidiary, bioCSL. CSL's experience in the fight against influenza dates back to the 1918 influenza pandemic, and the company has since worked with global health partners on the front line of influenza protection. In 1942, CSL produced one million doses of a new virus vaccine using an egg-based method pioneered by the Australian virologist Macfarlane Burnet. Seasonal egg-based production has been the mainstay of influenza vaccine production globally ever since, and CSL continues to refine and optimise this process.
CSL Seqirus is the largest cell-based influenza vaccine manufacturer in the world. The company produces these vaccines at its manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina, which was purpose-built in partnership with the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to combat pandemic threats. The facility uses cell-based technology as a modern, efficient, and highly scalable alternative to traditional egg-based manufacturing for seasonal influenza vaccine production and rapid pandemic response.
CSL Seqirus has commercialised the only adjuvanted seasonal influenza vaccine for older adults and paediatrics, and it offers two different types of quadrivalent influenza vaccines. The company's scientists continue to optimise these innovative technologies while also working on longer-term transformational approaches to influenza prevention.
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Availability differs across states
Australia has a strong reputation in vaccine research and development, and its vaccine manufacturing capacity has expanded internationally in recent years.
However, the availability of flu vaccines differs across states and territories. For instance, in New South Wales, a "month-long blitz" of free flu jabs was offered to anyone over the age of six months, starting from June 1 to June 30. Previously, these vaccines were only available for free to certain high-risk groups. Queenslanders over the age of six months could also get free influenza vaccinations until June 30, 2022. In Queensland, you can get the jab at a pharmacy or GP, but the GP may charge for the appointment. Bookings for the free vaccine can be made through pharmacists and GPs.
In South Australia, the state government spent nearly $5 million to provide free vaccines for all residents until June 30, 2022. This was a change from previous years, when only certain groups, such as young children and those with medical risk factors, were eligible for free flu vaccines. In Tasmania, the vaccine was free for anyone aged five and over, but only at Community COVID and Flu Vaccination Clinics.
The National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides free influenza vaccines for children aged 6 months to under 5 years. Five vaccines are available for people under 65: Vaxigrip Tetra, Flucelvax Quad, Influvac Tetra, Afluria Quad, and Fluquadri. Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent is a vaccine designed for elderly patients, with a higher antigen content and a larger dose volume.
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MMR vaccine supply concerns
The MMR vaccine is crucial in avoiding potentially deadly diseases such as measles, mumps, and rubella. While the vaccine has been successful in reducing outbreaks of these diseases, concerns have been raised about potential supply issues in Australia.
The Merck and GSK vaccines, which are approved for use in the United States and other countries, including Australia, are vulnerable to diversion. This means that shipments intended for export to Australia could be redirected for American use. The MMR vaccine is produced in Australia by Sequirus, a subsidiary of CSL, but their market share is unclear. An audit of local and Pacific Island MMR vaccine supplies and potential demand is necessary to ensure adequate availability.
Adding to the concerns, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaccine advocate, has made misleading statements that the MMR vaccine contains "aborted fetus debris." These statements have alarmed vaccine experts and advocates, and there are worries that they could further erode trust in vaccines and create challenges for manufacturers.
In addition to these issues, the potential for an H5N1 pandemic in humans in North America has led to efforts to increase the development and availability of bird flu vaccines. While this is a separate issue from the MMR vaccine, it could impact overall vaccine production and supply chains, particularly if resources are redirected to address the bird flu threat.
To ensure a stable supply of the MMR vaccine in Australia, it is crucial to address these concerns and implement measures to increase vaccine production and distribution. This may include investing in local manufacturing capabilities and developing strategies to mitigate the impact of external factors, such as the statements made by Kennedy and the potential for pandemic outbreaks.
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Flu vaccines are made using hen's eggs
Flu vaccines are made using hens' eggs. This method, which has been used for the past 80 years, involves injecting a live virus into fertilized hens' eggs, where it replicates for a few days, similar to how it would inside a human host. The virus is then inactivated so that it can no longer cause disease, and it is purified to obtain the virus antigen. This antigen is used to create the flu vaccine.
This process of growing influenza viruses in eggs is the oldest way of making flu vaccines. While it is effective, there are some concerns associated with it. One issue is the supply of eggs, which can be impacted by outbreaks of bird flu and other factors. Additionally, the production process is relatively slow, taking up to six months, which can be a problem when dealing with a rapidly spreading illness.
Another challenge with egg-based vaccines is the potential for mutation during the replication process. The avian cells in chicken eggs are slightly different from human cells, and the virus injected into the egg may mutate, resulting in a less effective vaccine. This was evident during the 2014-2015 flu season when the CDC reported that over 80% of the circulating H3N2 viruses had "drifted" from the target viruses for the vaccines.
Despite these concerns, egg-based vaccines are still widely used due to their lower cost compared to egg-free alternatives. However, efforts are being made to develop alternative methods, such as cell-based and recombinant vaccine technologies, which offer improved immunogenicity and faster production times.
In summary, flu vaccines made using hens' eggs involve replicating the virus in fertilized eggs, inactivating and purifying it to obtain the antigen, and using this antigen to create the vaccine. While this method has been reliable for decades, ongoing research and investments are exploring alternative approaches to address supply, speed, and mutation concerns associated with egg-based vaccines.
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Frequently asked questions
The country where a vaccine is made is not typically disclosed in the Product Information sheets. However, Australia has a strong reputation in vaccine research and development and has benefited from the manufacturing capacity of CSL (formerly the government-owned Commonwealth Serum Laboratories).
For children aged 6 months to under 5 years, the recommended dose of the influenza vaccine is 0.5 mL. Four vaccines are available in this dosage: Fluquadri, Influvac Tetra, Vaxigrip Tetra, and Flucelvax Quad.
For people aged 65 years and older, the recommended dose of the influenza vaccine is 0.7 mL of Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent. This vaccine has a higher antigen content and is specifically designed for elderly patients.
