What is ASPREN data used for?

The information collected through ASPREN is used to support health decisions across Australia and around the world.

Our data help to:

• Inform National respiratory surveillance reports published by the Australian Centre for Disease Control, supporting timely public health responses;
• Estimate how well influenza vaccines are working each year through the Global Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness (GIVE) collaboration. This includes identifying groups where protection may be lower and has contributed to improvements such as enhanced influenza vaccines for people aged 65 years and over;
• Monitor circulating influenza strains to assess how well they match current vaccines, whether they remain sensitive to antiviral treatments, and whether any important mutations are emerging;
• Detect and track new or unusual strains early—such as the emergence of influenza A(H3N2) subclade K in late 2025, providing early warning to health authorities;
• Support clinicians and policymakers with real-time insights to guide testing, treatment, and prevention strategies