Canada awards CSL Seqirus with influenza pandemic vaccine contract
Lucy Batizovsky | March 17, 2026 | News story | Manufacturing and Production | CSL Seqirus, Canada, Vaccine
CSL Seqirus has been awarded a contract committing it to manufacturing and delivering influenza vaccines to support the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC) influenza (flu) pandemic preparedness plans.
If a flu pandemic is declared by the World Health Organization (WHO), Seqirus will rapidly provide cell-based adjuvanted influenza vaccines to protect Canadians.
The benefits of cell-based manufacturing include scalability, reduced reliance of large volumes of critical materials and rapid production.
Seqirus was previously contracted by PHAC to provide egg-based influenza vaccines. Over the past six years, Canada has introduced cell-based Flucelvax into its seasonal flu programme, accounting for the shift towards cell-based pandemic vaccines.
Gillian Stafford, Canadian Country Head Commercial Operations at CSL Seqirus, said: “A flu pandemic is an ever-present threat. If one strikes, our robust, rapid response capabilities will ensure all our Canadian counterparts have access to vaccines to help protect their populations.”
The vaccines will be made at Seqirus’ new Tullamarine facility in Australia, with this being the first contract for the facility beyond Asia-Pacific.
The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, said: “By securing access to these flu vaccines, if a pandemic is declared by the WHO, we are reinforcing our commitment to protecting health and being prepared and ready to act in the face of emerging public health threats”
Gregg Sylvester, Chief Health Officer & Vice President, Medical Affairs, CSL Seqirus said: “In recent years, outbreaks of avian flu in animals have highlighted the ongoing importance of pandemic preparedness and the need for vigilance against the public health threat of pandemic influenza.”
Jonah Smith, Vice President, Manufacturing and Site Head, CSL Seqirus Tullamarine Manufacturing Facility, said: “As Commonwealth nations, we have a long-standing friendship, so we’re thrilled that vaccines manufactured in Australia will help protect Canadians in the event of a flu pandemic. Our year-round seasonal vaccine production is a critical part of the strong foundations needed to ensure we can rapidly provide pandemic vaccines.”
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