The periodic replacement of virus strains contained in influenza vaccine is necessary because of the constant evolution of influenza viruses, which can change their antigenic and genetic characteristics. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the following influenza vaccine composition information.
Northern Hemisphere 2022 – 2023
The WHO recommends that quadrivalent vaccines for use in the 2022-2023 northern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:
Egg-based vaccines
• an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
• an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus;
• a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus; and
• a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
Cell culture- or recombinant-based vaccines
• an A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
• an A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus;
• a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus; and
• a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
The WHO recommends that trivalent vaccines for use in the 2022-2023 northern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:
Egg-based vaccines
• an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
• an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus; and
• a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
Cell culture- or recombinant-based vaccines
• an A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
• an A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus; and
• a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus
More information
• WHO (25 February 2022) Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2023 - 2023 northern hemisphere influenza season - full report
• WHO (25 February 2022) Frequently Asked Questions
Southern Hemisphere 2022
Southern Hemisphere 2022 WHO recommends that quadrivalent vaccines for use in the 2022 southern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:
Egg-based vaccines
• an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
• an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus;
• a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus; and
• a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
Cell- or recombinant-based vaccines
• an A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
• an A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus;
• a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus; and
• a B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus.
It is recommended that trivalent influenza vaccines for use in the 2022 southern hemisphere influenza season contain the following:
Egg-based vaccines
• an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
• an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus; and
• a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.
Cell- or Recombinant-based vaccines
• an A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
• an A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus; and
• a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus
More information
WHO. ( September 2021) Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in 2022 southern hemisphere influenza season – full report
WHO. (24 September 2021) Frequently asked questions
WHO. (1 October 2021) Antigenic and genetic characteristics of zoonotic influenza A and development of candidate vaccine viruses for pandemic preparedness in the 2022 southern hemisphere influenza season
(Updated 2 March 2022)