Private influenza vaccinations are now available, However The National Seasonal Influenza Immunisation Program for 2015 will commence on 20 April 2015. This is later than usual because the World Health Organization and the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee have agreed that the 2015 southern hemisphere seasonal influenza vaccine will contain three seasonal influenza strains, with two strain changes from the 2014 vaccine. The trivalent influenza vaccine components for the Australian 2015 influenza season will contain the following: • A (H1N1): an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) - like virus, 15 µg HA per dose • A (H3N2): an A/Switzerland/9715293/2013 (H3N2) - like virus, 15 µg HA per dose • B: a B/Phuket/3073/2013 - like virus, 15 µg HA per dose This double-strain change, which is an unusual occurrence, has caused manufacturing delays due to the time it takes to develop, test and distribute the reagents needed to make the vaccine. A decision has been made to delay the program until sufficient supplies of influenza vaccine are available from at least two suppliers in order to mitigate the risk of administration of bioCSL’s Fluvax® to children under five years of age. The delay will not affect vaccine supply volumes, and no vaccine shortages are anticipated. Annual influenza vaccination is provided free through the National Immunisation Program (NIP) to groups who are at an increased risk of influenza complications, including: • People aged 65 years and over. • Pregnant women. • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged six months to less than five years. • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and over. • Anyone aged six months and over who has a chronic condition placing them at increased risk of complications from influenza.