ATAGI announces 2026 flu vaccine changes

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has released its 2026 guidance on seasonal influenza vaccination, outlining updates to this year’s vaccine formulations and dosing recommendations.

To support these changes, the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) has updated its influenza immunisation resources, including:

• Revised influenza FAQs, now incorporating questions about the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV)

• A new resource for health professionals comparing inactivated influenza vaccines with the live attenuated vaccine

• An updated table summarising state and territory funding for the intranasal influenza vaccine in 2026

NCIRS has also delivered a webinar titled Influenza vaccination in 2026: a new era of protection, featuring presentations on recent trends in influenza vaccination coverage, current disease burden, and practical guidance on administering the intranasal vaccine.

ATAGI continues to recommend annual influenza vaccination for everyone aged 6 months and older, with vaccines remaining free under the National Immunisation Program for eligible at-risk groups.

For more information and links to resources, please visit the NCIRS website here:

https://ncirs.org.au/2026-influenza-vaccine-changes-atagi-advice-and-ncirs-resources