In the first of a series of biweekly reports, the Canadian Blood Services revealed Omicron’s traction in December 2021. While all blood donors tested positive for the spike (S) protein, primarily due to immunization, infection-acquired seropositivity (as evidenced by anti-N IgG antibodies) climbed from 7.5% to 10.1 % from December 25, 2021 to [...]
This study, published in Microbiology Spectrum and carried out by CITF-funded researchers Drs. Steven Drews and Sheila O’Brien of Canadian Blood Services, characterized the neutralization capacity and the breadth of protection against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants of concern (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta).
The latest report from Canadian Blood Services, covering the early days of the Omicron wave, shows that, notwithstanding the nearly universal presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among blood donors, the number of donors who had antibodies due to prior infection rose. Key findings: The proportion of donors with evidence of a prior infection was 6.4% [...]
Remarkably, nearly all Canadian Blood Services blood donors sampled in November tested positive for antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. While this was mainly due to vaccination with at least one vaccine dose, seroprevalence from a prior infection with COVID-19 stood at 5.1%, higher than what was seen in previous months. In a subset [...]
The latest Canadian Blood Services (CBS) report, from October 2021, indicates that 98% of blood donors sampled had antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. This number is largely driven by immunization with at least one vaccine dose, as infection-acquired seroprevalence stayed low, at 4.3%. Results also reveal a downward trend in the mean levels of antibodies across [...]
In their latest report, Canadian Blood Services reveals that 97% of blood donors sampled in September had evidence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 acquired through immunization with at least one vaccine dose and/or a past infection. This number is largely driven by vaccination as infection-acquired seroprevalence remained low in September - at 4.4% - despite [...]
96% of Canadian blood donors have evidence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, primarily due to vaccination, a rate that has increased from 91% in June and 95% in July. This according to Canadian Blood Services’ 13th seroprevalence report, covering data from August 2021. Nonetheless, targeted efforts to alleviate infection burden and promote vaccine uptake are still [...]
The latest results from the Canadian Blood Services' monthly serosurvey indicate that 95% of blood donors sampled in July 2021 had antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, acquired predominantly through vaccination. Not only did vaccine-induced seroprevalence increase among all sociodemographic groups and across all geographic regions, but infection-acquired seroprevalence dropped compared to June 2021. Donors identifying as [...]
In a recent article published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, CITF-funded researcher Dr. Prabhat Jha and his Action to beat Coronavirus (Ab-C Study) team estimated 9% of Canadians would refuse a COVID-19 vaccine and the authors identified key populations to work with to improve vaccine acceptance.
In a recently published paper in Emerging Infectious Diseases, CITF-funded researchers, Dr. Agatha Jassem, Dr. Marc Romney, Dr. Mel Krajden and colleagues sought to summarize observations regarding variants of concern (VOCs) in British Columbia over a 16-week period from January to April 2021.