Canada awards CSL Seqirus a new contract to supply cell-based adjuvanted influenza vaccines to strengthen national pandemic preparedness if the WHO declares a global flu pandemic.
Written By: Nikita Jha, BPharm
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Canada has awarded CSL Seqirus a new contract to strengthen the country’s influenza pandemic preparedness, securing access to rapidly produced cell-based adjuvanted influenza vaccines if a global pandemic is declared by the World Health Organization.
The agreement, signed with the Public Health Agency of Canada, replaces an earlier arrangement that relied on egg-based pandemic vaccines. Under the new contract, CSL Seqirus will manufacture and supply cell-based vaccines designed for faster and more scalable pandemic response, enabling Canada to quickly protect its population if a pandemic influenza outbreak occurs.
The shift builds on Canada’s adoption of the cell-based seasonal influenza vaccine Flucelvax, which has been used in the country’s influenza immunization program for the past six years. Cell-based vaccine production offers several advantages over traditional egg-based manufacturing, including improved scalability, reduced dependence on large quantities of eggs and other critical materials, and the ability to accelerate vaccine production using modern biomanufacturing technologies.
Vaccines supplied under the agreement will be produced at CSL Seqirus’ newly built manufacturing facility in Tullamarine, Australia. The site significantly expands the company’s global pandemic response capacity and marks the first international contract for the facility beyond the Asia-Pacific region.
Gillian Stafford, Canadian Commercial Operations Director at CSL Seqirus, said the partnership ensures Canada can access vaccines rapidly if a pandemic emerges. She noted that influenza pandemics remain a constant threat and emphasized the importance of preparedness in protecting public health.
Canada’s Health Minister, Marjorie Michel, said the agreement strengthens the country’s readiness to respond to emerging health threats by securing reliable vaccine supply should the WHO declare an influenza pandemic.
CSL Seqirus executives also highlighted the broader context of pandemic preparedness, noting that recent outbreaks of avian influenza in animals underscore the continuing risk posed by novel influenza viruses and the importance of maintaining robust vaccine manufacturing capacity worldwide.
Influenza pandemics occur when a new virus emerges to which most people have little or no immunity. Since 1918, four influenza pandemics have been recorded, with the 1918 pandemic alone estimated to have caused up to 50 million deaths globally.
As one of the world’s largest influenza vaccine providers, CSL Seqirus operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, supplying vaccines to more than 20 countries and supporting global preparedness against infectious disease threats.
Reference
Canada and CSL Seqirus, a Global Leader in Influenza Vaccines, agree on new Pandemic Preparedness Contract, 05 March 2026, News Releases | CSL
About Writer
Nikita Jha, BPharm
She is a pharmacy graduate with expertise in clinical research, pharmacovigilance, and medical writing. In her words, she is passionate about translating complex scientific data into clear, accurate healthcare communications that advance drug safety and patient care.