mRNA vaccines generate antibodies in saliva
A paper now published in Mucosal Immunology examines whether mRNA vaccines induce antibodies in saliva.
More than a quarter of Quebec adults had recently acquired, infection-related antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 by mid-March: Latest data from Héma-Québec
A recent serosurvey conducted by Héma-Québec estimates that 27.4% of adults in the province developed infection-acquired antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 between January and mid-March 2022, during the first Omicron wave.
Vaccination in individuals living with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases is highly effective against SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe outcomes
New findings from the CITF-funded SUCCEED project, published in The Lancet Rheumatology, indicate that two doses of mRNA vaccines were 79 to 89% effective at preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals living with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases in Ontario.
Vaccine intentions and perceptions among public school staff within the Greater Vancouver Area
In a paper published in Frontiers in Public Health, CITF-funded researchers Drs. Pascal Lavoie, Louise Mâsse and Allison Watts, along with colleagues from the University of British Columbia, explored the factors associated with the intention to get the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as the sense of urgency to get vaccinated, among school staff.
Growth in infection-acquired immunity slows in early March
The latest data from Canadian Blood Services show the rapid increase in infection-induced immunity began slowing by mid-March. The data show infection-acquired seropositivity increased moderately between the end of February and mid-March, up to 27.5% from 25.3%.
Vaccination is more effective than prior infection at neutralizing variants of concern
This paper, published in Med, characterizes the ability of antibodies acquired via vaccination, infection, or both, to neutralize Omicron.
Evaluation of immunity after COVID-19 vaccines – the PREVENT-COVID study
Research from the CITF-funded PREVENT-COVID study by Drs. Agatha Jassem and Manish Sadarangani from the University of British Columbia confirms the findings of other studies and reinforces the effectiveness of dried blood spot (DBS) tests as a simple and accurate alternative to blood tests.
Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against hospitalization and death across Canada
CITF-funded researchers Drs. Jeff Kwong from the University of Toronto, Gaston de Serres from l'Institut national de santé publique du Québec, and Mel Krajden of the University of British Columbia, found that two doses of mRNA or viral vector (Astra Zeneca) vaccines provide excellent protection against severe outcomes (hospitalization or death) from COVID-19.
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection within households
In a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, CITF-funded researcher Dr. Marc-André Langlois from the University of Ottawa and colleagues found that half of those residing in a household in which someone became infected with SARS-CoV-2 became infected as well.