Vaccine side-effects among those with a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection
A CITF and Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) funded study, published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, showed that adults who had a previous moderate or severe SARS-CoV-2 infection were more likely to experience side effects from the first vaccine doses.
Risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canadian healthcare personnel
The Omicron wave caused a much higher number of SARS-CoV-2 infections in healthcare personnel than previous waves of pandemic activity. Group activities and those working in close proximity with other people also experienced increased the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Researchers around the world agree that seroprevalence studies of SARS-CoV-2 are essential and must be sustained
A report published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, prepared with the participation of the CITF-funded Serotracker team, presents the outcomes of the April 2022 Keystone symposium on the successes and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rahul Arora (University of Calgary) participated as a representative of the CITF-funded SeroTracker initiative.
Systematic review of the serology assays used in COVID-19 seroprevalence surveys
A systematic review carried out by the CITF-funded SeroTracker team, released in preprint, and not yet peer reviewed, reported that third-party or independent evaluations from manufacturers found that the manufacturers appear to overstate the sensitivity and specificity of their serological assays targeting SARS-CoV-2.
A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine yields greater protection in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients
A CITF-funded study, published in Transplant Cell Therapy, from Dr. Deepali Kumar’s team (University of Toronto) shows that a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine resulted in stronger humoral and cell-mediated immunity in allogeneic stem cell transplant (Allo-SCT) recipients, when compared to the initial two-dose vaccine regimen.
Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in people living with HIV
A CITF-funded study published in AIDS and led by Drs. Aslam Anis (University of British Columbia) and Ann Burchell (University of Toronto) on behalf of the COVAXHIV study team, highlighted that – prior to Omicron – two doses of COVID-19 vaccines offered substantial protection against hospitalization and death, and even symptomatic illness, in people living with HIV (PLWH).
Third dose of vaccine enhances antibody response, particularly among older adults
A CITF-funded study in preprint, not yet peer-reviewed, by Drs. Marc Romney (University of British Columbia), Zabrina Brumme and Mark Brockman (Simon Fraser University), demonstrated that a third dose of an mRNA vaccine significantly enhanced the magnitude and durability of antibody responses, including among adults over the age of 70, who remained COVID-naïve (those who were not infected with SARS-CoV-2).
COVID-19 cases among congregate care facility staff by neighbourhood of residence and social and structural determinants
A CITF-funded study published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance found that compared with other healthcare workers, COVID-19 cases among facility-staff in long term care homes, retirement homes and shelters more closely mirrored neighbourhood-level heterogeneity and social and structural disparities.
Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines over time prior to Omicron emergence
A CITF-funded study published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases and led by Dr. Jeffrey Kwong (University of Toronto) on behalf of the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN), highlighted that – prior to Omicron - the effectiveness of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine decreased over time against infection but remained high against severe outcomes over 11 months (January to November 2021).