Helping to Guide Canada’s Epidemic Response

The COVID-19
Immunity Task Force

The Government of Canada launched the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF) in late April 2020 to track the spread of the virus in both the general population and priority populations in Canada. The Task Force also aims to shed light on immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in a diversity of communities, age brackets, populations, and occupational groups across the nation. To generate this information, the Task Force is drawing on experts from universities and hospitals across Canada, working closely with provincial and territorial public health officials, and engaging communities/stakeholders from inception through to dissemination of findings.

The CITF: Work to Date and Ahead

In any viral pandemic, effective responses are heavily influenced by the virus itself: its virulence, infectivity and patterns of spread, seasonality, ratios of symptomatic to asymptomatic cases, induced immune responses, and mutations over time.

Various public health measures are deployed to prevent and respond to epidemic waves, until eradication is achieved, or a very high level of background immunity is reached.

We’ve created a timeline that encapsulates the evolving agenda of the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF).

Our Scientific Strategy, Governance & Operational Plan

We have developed a Scientific Strategy, Governance & Operational Plan outlining our mandate, scientific priorities, governance structure and the roles and responsibilities of our various stakeholders. The document outlines how we are – and will continue – helping Canada fight the COVID-19 pandemic by funding studies that will tell us more about SARS-CoV-2 infection and immunity, which in turn will inform decision-making.

Our scientific focus is on: Field Studies, Immune Science, and Testing. Our Field Studies research drives serologic data collection (How many Canadians have SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, suggesting they have had COVID-19?). Our Immune Science research advances how much we know about immunity (Is immunity a given once someone has had COVID-19? How long does it last?). Our Testing research looks to fine-tune methods for procuring accurate serologic data (ex: validating dried blood spots for use in antibody testing at home).

The COVID-19
Immunity Task Force