Health inequalities by income have persisted in Canada throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
A preprint, not yet peer-reviewed, from CITF-funded researchers Dr. Sharmistha Mishra, Ms. Huiting Ma, Dr. Sharon Straus (University of Toronto) and their Wellness Hub team, indicated that public health interventions implemented since the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic did not sufficiently address income-related health disparities.
Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity and seroconversion among children and adolescents in Montreal
In a preprint, not yet peer-reviewed, CITF-funded researchers Drs. Kate Zinszer (University of Montreal) and Caroline Quach (University of Montreal, Research Centre of the Sainte-Justine University Hospital) identified a variety of factors that contributed to an increased risk of seropositivity and seroconversion in children and adolescents.
Third mRNA vaccine dose induces strong antibody response against Omicron regardless of the interval between the first and second doses
In a study partially funded by the CITF and published in Cell Reports, Drs. Andrés Finzi (Université de Montréal) and Renée Bazin (Héma-Québec) showed that a third vaccine dose elicited strong antibody responses regardless of the interval between the first and second doses.
Antibody responses to the first four doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with IBD
A CITF-funded study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology by Drs. Gilaad Kaplan (University of Calgary) and Sasha Bernatsky (McGill University) on behalf of the STOP COVID-19 in IBD Research Group, showed a robust antibody response was achieved in individuals with IBD after the fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine, similar in magnitude to that which followed the third dose.
The methodology of the CHILD sub-study to examine the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on children
In a pre-print, not yet peer reviewed, Dr. Meghan Azad (University of Manitoba) and her team reported on the study design and cohort profile for research examining the prevalence and predictors of SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission, as well as the predictors of the health and psychosocial impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic among Canadian children and their families.
Infection-induced seroprevalence among blood donors rises during the Omicron wave
According to Canadian Blood Services data published in Viruses, infection-related seroprevalence increased with the emergence of the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant from September 2021 to June 2022.
Infection-acquired seroprevalence continues to increase in September: Canadian Blood Services
Consistent with the continued prevalence of Omicron variant its subvariant, infection-acquired seropositivity increased among blood donors to 62.4% by mid-September, up from 60% in the last week of August. These data come from Canadian Blood Services.
Understanding community perceptions related to vaccine acceptance
A preprint, not yet peer-reviewed, from a CITF-funded study led by Dr. Sonia Anand (McMaster University) focused on the South Asian community to demonstrate that understanding factors such as community dynamics, language, and cultural context can help build vaccine confidence and acceptance among diverse population groups.
Severe COVID-19 results in stronger hybrid immunity following vaccination
A paper published in NPJ Vaccines by CITF-funded researcher Dr. Michael Grant (Memorial University of Newfoundland) shows that, in a group of individuals who had been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the immune response induced by the subsequent rounds of vaccination was stronger when the COVID-19 symptoms were more severe.