The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has awarded vaccine maker CSL Seqirus with a contract that is envisioned to address a potential influenza pandemic, including one with avian origins. Under the terms of the contract, CSL Seqirus has agreed to produce millions of doses of cell-based adjuvanted influenza vaccine in the event of an influenza pandemic, as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO).

“Because CSL Seqirus manufactures seasonal influenza vaccines year‑round and maintains dedicated pandemic preparedness plans, pandemic influenza vaccines can be produced rapidly when required,” a CSL Seqirus spokesperson told BioProcess Insider. “In the event of a WHO-declared influenza pandemic, the facility and associated network have the capability to rapidly produce over 150 million vaccines in the first wave of manufacturing.”

The agreement is envisioned to enable the rapid production of vaccines with enough doses to cover the entire Canadian population if necessary; 150 million doses would far exceed the country’s population, which stands at about 41.5 million as of the end of last year.

According to the spokesperson, vaccines will be made at the company’s Tullamarine facility in Melbourne, Australia, which opened in December 2025. “The Tullamarine facility is supported by hundreds of highly skilled professionals across manufacturing, engineering, quality, regulatory, and supply chain roles. Year‑round seasonal influenza vaccine manufacturing ensures these teams remain trained and experienced, maintaining the readiness needed to respond quickly in a pandemic.”

The agreement marks a strategic shift by PHAC, which had previously contracted with CSL Seqirus for egg-based influenza vaccines. The egg-free Flucelvax vaccine leverages cell-based manufacturing. The CSL Seqirus spokesperson said it also brings scalability and reduced reliance on critical materials while enabling rapid production. Flucelvax has been available in Canada since 2019.

"This new contract with CSL Seqirus strengthens Canada's ability to respond quickly to a potential future flu pandemic,” said Marjorie Michel, Canada’s Minister of Health. “By securing access to millions of doses of flu vaccine 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.”

"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,” said Gillian Stafford, Canadian country head commercial operations at CSL Seqirus. “We're honored to continue contracting with Canada, a leading country in pandemic preparedness, toward our shared goal of protecting public health."