Panvax(®) (CSL Biotherapies, Parkville, Australia) is one of a number of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 (pH1N1) vaccines fast-tracked for production, clinical trials and licensure in response to the emergence of the novel pH1N1 strain in early-mid-2009. Unexpectedly good immunogenicity following a single 15-µg dose was demonstrated in expedited clinical trials in adults and children. This facilitated early licensure and then rapid rollout for population immunization from October 2009. The vaccine's safety profile in the Australian population has been excellent.