Posted: 14 June 2022
- Infectious disease experts gathered at the BioMelbourne Network BioForum today to share concerns regarding influenza (flu) preparedness, emerging public health challenges and vaccine innovation.1
- According to data captured by the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS), there were over 65,775 confirmed cases of flu in May.2 There have also been three influenza-related deaths so far this year.3
Issued by BioMelbourne Network, 10 June 2022
Experts have warned that the 2022 flu season will redefine what it means for Australia to be ‘flu ready’ as the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System reported over 65,775 confirmed cases of influenza in May.
This compares with 30,372 cases in May 2019 which was until now the highest number of confirmed cases recorded in the month of May.4
Meeting today at BioMelbourne Network’s Flu resurgence – what does it mean for our sector?2 event, a panel of Australia’s leading influenza and biosecurity experts discussed the implications of flu re-emerging in 2022.
According to Professor Ian Barr, Deputy Director of WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza:
“Influenza is definitely back in the Southern Hemisphere in 2022. Countries like Argentina have seen similar outbreaks, while Brazil saw an outbreak of Influenza A viruses in summer this year. In Australia, we’re seeing Influenza A viruses dominate with very little circulation of influenza B viruses.”
“From the samples that are being sent to us at the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, we’re seeing vaccine components that are well matched to the Influenza A viruses (H1N1 and H3N2) that are circulating in Australia. While it’s too early to assess vaccine effectiveness, this is a positive start.”
“Australia is really at the forefront of the fight against flu, with a number of the viruses in this year’s vaccines being isolated at the WHO labs here in Melbourne.”
Dr Jonathan Anderson, Seqirus Executive Medical Director International Regions, said that this year’s flu season will provide lots of lessons for how we prepare and implement public health strategies in the future.
“Australia is in a unique position in that we are one of the first countries to face COVID and a simultaneous flu season that is similar to pre-COVID levels. It’s clear that the rest of the world will be watching our flu season closely and learning from our successes or failures,” said Dr Anderson.
“In the face of an early and significant season, it’s important that we focus on innovative technology that can help protect us from flu both now and in the future. This flu season, more Australians than ever are opting for protection with flu vaccines that are the product of innovation.
“As we look towards future flu seasons, further innovation that is still to proven in studies such as adjuvanted cell-based vaccines and self-amplifying mRNA (sa-mRNA) may be the next frontier in vaccine technology. sa-mRNA is the second generation of today’s mRNA and works by instructing the body to replicate mRNA, amplifying the amount of protein made, stimulating the body’s immune response and leaving an immune blueprint to recognize future infection.”
According to Dr Felicia Pradera, General Manager of Health Security Systems Australia at DMTC Limited and Program Manager – Medical Countermeasures Development at Defence Science and Technology:
“Vaccines and treatments are important tools for managing infectious diseases and pandemics but it’s important that we use all the tools at our disposal and develop a whole of system approach. This includes considerations like PPE, modelling and simulation, decision support tools, medical devices, surveillance, real world evidence and more.”
“We can take a number of lessons from COVID-19 to enable better response and recovery planning in relation to influenza and other pathogens. From improved real time data sharing, faster sharing of research and investing in the development of platform capabilities that can then be rapidly modified or trained to a target pathogen. There’s also greater potential for us to implement and leverage public-private partnerships, similar to Operation Warp Speed in the US, to ensure we can tackle Australia’s key health priorities.”
– ENDS –
About BioMelbourne Network
BioMelbourne Network was established in 2001. Since then, we have grown from strength to strength, proudly serving as the peak body for the Healthtech Industry in Victoria. We have been a catalyst for development and strengthening of the ecosystem over the past two decades.
Our purpose is to foster and grow an innovative, globally competitive Healthtech Industry in Victoria. We’ve been here for over 20 years, and we remain as committed as ever to our members, our industry, and our exciting plans for the future.
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References
- BioMelbourne Network Bioforum, Flu Resurgence: What does this mean for our sector?. Flu Resurgence: What does this mean for our sector? | BioMelbourne Network [accessed June 2022]
- Data provided by the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS). Available on request.
- The Australian Department of Health. (2022). Australian Influenza Surveillance Report and Activity Updates. https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cda-surveil-ozflu-flucurr.htm#current [accessed June 2022]
- Immunisation Coalition. (2022) Australian Flu stats. Aust Flu Stats-worksheet-2022 (immunisationcoalition.org.au) [accessed June 2022]
