Long-term Care & Seniors
Immunity in LTCF residents at risk of COVID-19 disease and death: immune biomarkers, immune function, and frailty associated with clinical outcomes in COVID-19 pandemic waves 1 and 2
This study aims to understand what makes older people more at risk for severe or fatal COVID-19 symptoms, and how effective vaccines are in stopping the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities. The study participants are residents of several long-term care facilities in Nova Scotia.
Research summary
COVID-19 Infection and Immunity in Residents of Long-term care Facilities
This study examines how well vaccines work in the older population living in long-term care residences and which factors at the facilities may be directly linked to outbreaks.
Research summary Results Study website
Identification of underlying factors influencing the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 among workers and residents in long-term care homes: a multi-province study
Researchers are studying the immune response of 800 residents, 2,000 staff and 500 caregivers in certain long-term care facilities in Ontario and British Columbia over the course of a year, and monitoring their vaccine response.
Research summary Results Study website
Integrating longitudinal epidemiologic, virologic and immunologic analyses to understand COVID-19 immunity and infection outcomes in long term care
The study examines how the immune systems of older residents and staff in long-term care facilities in British Columbia respond to COVID-19 vaccination. Researchers will also assess the viral, immunological and social factors that have contributed to COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities to better understand why the disease has been fatal to so many residents.
Research summary Results
IPAC+ evaluating intervention impact using serological and cellular assays as correlates of SARS-CoV-2 exposure among long-term care homes (LTCH) staff, residents, and transmission networks
This study aims to understand the different aspects of immunity for long-term care residents and workers as well as their response to vaccines.
Research summary Results Study website
DISCoVER (Determining Infection Severity of CoV-2 in Elderly Residents): Type I interferon responses and their bio-psychosocial determinants to guide management of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the long-term care facility elderly
Researchers are looking at immune system, cardiovascular and mental health factors in a group of long-term care facility residents to determine what makes certain elderly people more prone than others to developing severe COVID-19.
Research summary Results
The PREVENT-COVID in Seniors Study: PRospEctiVe EvaluatioN of immuniTy after COVID-19 vaccines in Seniors
This study aims to characterize and compare both short- and long-term immune responses to different COVID-19 vaccines, including among older adults and seniors. Researchers are comparing antibody quantities and function after various vaccine doses. The study is also exploring how a person’s prior human coronavirus infection may influence their response to COVID-19 vaccines.
Research summary Results Study website
Early warning and rapid public health response to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities (LTCF) by monitoring SARS-CoV-2 RNA in LTCF site-specific sewage samples and assessment of antibodies response in this population
This study is examining how the immune systems of residents and staff in long-term care facilities in Alberta react to COVID-19 infection and to vaccines. Monitoring will be done via blood samples and sewage wastewater.
Research summary Results
Vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in long-term care populations: a multi-province study
This project builds on another CITF-funded study that encompasses the largest prospective cohort of workers, residents and caregivers of residents in long-term care homes across Canada. The team is studying the humoral immunity (immunity associated with circulating antibodies) against emerging variants in people in LTC and the association between humoral response and sociodemographic factors.
Research summary Results
Safety and Efficacy of Preventative COVID Vaccines (STOPCoV)
STOPCoV is comparing how people aged 70 and over respond to COVID-19 vaccines compared to younger people aged 30 to 50. They are looking at demographics, underlying illness, medication taken, and other factors. Once people are eligible for a third dose, the team will continue to follow participants to determine antibody responses to that third dose.
Research summary Results
Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA): Platform for studying the epidemiology of the COVID-19 pandemic in aging populations (CLSA COVID-19 Study)
Building on the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), a national research platform with more than 50,000 individuals, the CLSA COVID-19 Antibody Study aims to collect and analyze blood samples from more than 19,000 CLSA participants in 10 provinces in order to estimate how widespread SARS-CoV-2 is among older adults by province, age, and sex.
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