The World Flu Day 2026 Symposium is a major international scientific event bringing together leading experts in influenza research from Australia, China, Japan and beyond. Hosted jointly by the Doherty Institute and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, the symposium will explore the latest advances in influenza epidemiology, transmission, virology, immunology and vaccines.

Held for the first time outside of China and Japan, this two‑day symposium will feature keynote presentations, an emerging researcher session, and an evening poster and networking event.

World Flu Day (observed annually on November 1st) highlights the ongoing global burden of influenza and the importance of scientific innovation, preparedness and international collaboration. The symposium provides a unique forum to share knowledge, strengthen global research connections and contribute to the future of influenza prevention and control.

Keynote speakers include:

Professor Patrick Reading (WHO CCRRI, University of Melbourne) – Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, with expertise in respiratory pathogen surveillance, innate immune responses, and pandemic preparedness
Professor Ben Cowling (University of Hong Kong, HKU) – Head of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Co-Director of a WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease and Control, internationally recognised for work on influenza transmission and prevention
Professor Jane Davies (Menzies School of Health Research) – Infectious diseases physician and clinician-researcher focused on influenza and respiratory disease in First Nations Australians
Professor Wendy Barclay (Imperial College London) – Leader in molecular and cellular mechanisms of influenza transmission, zoonotic spillover, and antiviral resistance
Professor Paul Thomas (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center) – Viral immunologist specialising in vaccine design using computational, quantitative and experimental approaches
Associate Professor Adam Wheatley (Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne) – Expert in antibody-mediated immunity, B-cell biology, vaccine evaluation, and pandemic preparedness
Professor Allen Cheng (Monash Health) – Clinician-researcher leading respiratory virus and hospital infection programs, with expertise spanning surveillance, vaccine effectiveness, and clinical trials

The World Flu Day 2026 Symposium will run from the Thursday 29th October (8am - 8pm) to Friday 30th October (8:45am - 2pm).

Contact the host of World Flu Day Symposium

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