CITF Scientific Meeting
Breakout session presentations

We held the CITF Scientific Meeting in Vancouver, B.C., in early March 2023. The goal was to share results from CITF-funded studies and to discuss lessons learned as well as the way forward. Here, we share with you many of the breakout session presentations given during the meeting, categorized by session theme.

Pan-Canadian serosurveillance

Monitoring both infection-acquired and vaccine-induced seroprevalence over time has been, and will continue to be, key to understanding the spread of the virus and identifying populations potentially more susceptible to infection, severe disease, and death. The study teams presenting have been measuring seroprevalence in different age groups and regions, during distinct phases of the pandemic, and as a function of the number of vaccine doses received, offering a broad view of seroprevalence across the country.

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Saskatchewan SARS-CoV-2 population-based seroprevalence study: Highlights and lessons learned

Presenter & CITF PI: Dr. Maureen Anderson


CITF Study:
Saskatchewan SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Protocol (Phase I/Retrospective- lab analysis only)

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To monitor infection and vaccination mediated SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a healthy population over the course of the pandemic

Presenter & CITF PI: Dr. Sheila O’Brien


CITF Study:
Canadian Blood Services: Testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population

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Riding high: SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence, vaccination, and breakthrough infections in Manitoba, Canada

Presenter & CITF PI: Dr. Derek Stein


CITF Study:
Manitoba COVID Seroprevalence Study (MCS Study)

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Tanya Murphy

The evolution of population immunity to SARS-CoV-2 – a time-series study of seroprevalence in Canada, 2020-2022

Presenter & CITF PI: Dr. Tanya Murphy


CITF Study:
CITF Seroprevalence in Canada

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Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in a representative Canadian adult cohort during the Omicron waves

Presenter: Dr. Patrick Brown
CITF PI: Dr. Prabhat Jha


CITF Study:
Action to beat Coronavirus in Canada (Ab‐C Study)

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Accelerated research in long-term care settings

Older Canadians, especially those living in long-term care (LTC) homes, remain more vulnerable to reinfection, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 than the general population. Studying their immune responses to infections and to vaccines has helped to inform appropriate timing for booster vaccines in this older population. In addition, wastewater surveillance has proven to provide a useful early detection system for outbreaks in and around LTC homes.

Impact of age and SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection on humoral immune responses after three doses of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine

Presenter: Prof. Zabrina Brumme
CITF PI: Dr. Marc Romney


CITF Study:
Determining the impact of COVID-19 vaccines on long-term care residents

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Sharon Straus

Implementation of a co-created strategy to characterize COVID-19 exposure and optimize wellness in congregate care settings for older adults: The Wellness Hub

Presenter & CITF PI: Dr. Sharon Straus


CITF Study:
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

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Targeted wastewater-based surveillance for COVID-19 outbreaks in the long-term care facilities in Edmonton, Canada

Presenter: Dr. Xiaoli Pang
CITF PI: Drs. Xiaoli (Lilly) Pang and Chris Sikora


CITF Study:
Long-term care residents: Studying immune response to COVID-19 and developing an early warning system for outbreaks

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Lisa Barrett

Long-term care resident SARS-CoV-2 vaccine response is modified by previous infection and CMV coinfection

Presenter & CITF PI: Dr. Lisa Barrett


CITF Study:
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

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Antibody responses to vaccine and protection from COVID-19 in residents of long-term care homes

Presenter & CITF PI: Dr. Allison McGeer


CITF Study:
Are there post-vaccination antibody levels that correlate with protection against COVID19? (AB-Protect)

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The importance of community engagement in research

Social and economic inequities, and the related unequal access to health resources, are risk factors for higher percentages of SARS-CoV-2 infections and severe outcomes from COVID-19. This session focusses on several priority populations including Indigenous communities, Black Canadians, and isolated or vulnerable groups. Presenters will address the importance of developing relationships that connect researchers with community leaders and local health leads and foster trust. Partnering with communities is key to furthering COVID-19 research and improving vaccine confidence.

Challenges and lessons learned from a COVID vaccine study project in Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations

Presenter: Mrs. Lynnette Lucas
CITF PI: Mrs. Lynnette Lucas and Dr. Jeff Reading


CITF Study:
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council COVID-19 Vaccine Study into Immune Response, Effectiveness, Safety

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COVID-19 research within Black communities: Utility of a Community Advisory Group

Presenter: Ms. Chantal Phillips
CITF PI: Dr. Upton Allen


CITF Study:
Toward enhancing COVID-19 vaccine confidence among African Canadians: Sustainability of immune responses and safety profiles

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Trust and community in infectious disease survival: A syndemic approach to COVID-19 immunity and illness amongst Orthodox Jews in Montreal

Presenter: Dr. Peter Nugus
CITF PI: Drs. Peter Nugus and Fernanda Claudio


CITF Study:
COVID-19 in the Orthodox Jewish Community of Montreal: A mixed-methods study of immunity integrating anthropology, epidemiology and immunology

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Jack Jedwab

Social determinants of health and COVID-19: preliminary evidence from the RISC-Montréal project

Presenter: Dr. Jack Jedwab
CITF PI: Drs. Jack Jedwab and Simona Bignami


CITF Study:
COVID-19 risk and immunity in Montreal North: A population-based study

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Seroprevalence and effects of COVID-19 on children and adolescents

Since the Omicron wave, more children and adolescents have developed COVID-19, causing a rise in pediatric hospitalizations. Ongoing monitoring of the serological status of children is important, particularly in the context of new variants of concern, low vaccine coverage, and low uptake of testing. This session will address pediatric seroprevalence and reasons to encourage pediatric vaccination.

A comparison of symptom profiles among children infected by SARS-CoV-2 variants: A pan-Canadian prospective cohort study

Presenter: Dr. Stephen Freedman
CITF PI: Drs. Stephen Freedman and Roger Zemek


CITF Study:
A Prospective Pan-Canadian Cohort Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern Disease Severity and Association with Long-Term Symptoms in Children

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Seroprevalence, seroconversion, and seroreversion of infection-induced SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among a cohort of children and youth in Montreal, QC

Presenter: Ms. Laura Pierce
CITF PI: Dr. Kate Zinszer


CITF Study:
The EnCORE Study: How many children and teens in Montreal have been infected with SARS-CoV-2?

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Immunogenicity of BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients treated with biologic therapy

Presenter: Mrs. Marina Vineta
CITF PI: Dr. Pascal Lavoie


CITF Study:
Immunogenicity of current SARS-CoV-2 vaccine schedules in BC and Ontario

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Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among children in the Greater Toronto Area

Presenter: Ms. Mary Aglipay
CITF PI: Dr. Jonathan Maguire


CITF Study:
Safe return to school, work, and play: The TARGet Kids! COVID-19 study of children and families

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Vaccine responses in people with compromised immune systems

Studies on vaccine safety and effectiveness in immune-compromised individuals are essential to inform recommendations on the timing of booster doses and/or any special interventions. People with poor immune function are at a particularly high risk of severe COVID-19 due to their underlying medical conditions and/or immune-suppressant medications. In this session, presenters will review key data for people living with HIV, cancer, and autoimmune diseases, as well as for people on immune suppressive medications, to address relevant issues.

Serologic response and vaccine effectiveness (VE) of a third dose of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in the advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) population

Presenter: Dr. Matthew Oliver
CITF PI: Drs. Matthew Oliver and Michelle Hladunewich


CITF Study:
Determining the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in the chronic kidney disease population

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COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity in people living with HIV (CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network 328)

Presenter: Dr. Cecilia Costiniuk
CITF PI: Dr. Aslam Anis


CITF Study:
COVID-19 Vaccination among People Living with HIV: Immunogenicity, Effectiveness, and Safety

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COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity based on immune compromised status: A Stop the Spread Ottawa (SSO) analysis

Presenter: Dr. Curtis Cooper
CITF PI: Drs. Angela M. Crawley and Marc-André Langlois


CITF Study:
Fine analysis of longitudinal immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in vaccination: Harnessing the power of ‘Stop The Spread Ottawa’ to understand immune protection in COVID-19

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COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity surrounding fourth vaccine dose in patients with hematologic malignancies: A prospective real world observational multi-site Canadian study

Presenter & CITF PI: Dr. C. Arianne Buchan


CITF Study:
A prospective multi-site observational study of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination immunogenicity in patients with hematologic malignancies

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Breakthroughs in laboratory and in research infrastructure

Multiple platforms and novel technologies have been created over the past three years to aid Canadian clinical and research efforts in monitoring immune responses to SARS-CoV-2. Presenters in this session will elaborate on some of the breakthroughs that have been crucial to ensuring Canadian researchers have the necessary tools, infrastructure, resources, and procedural pipelines to enable rapid responses to this pandemic and any future one.

CoVaRR-Net Biobank support of CITF projects establishes framework for pandemic preparedness biobanking

Presenter: Dr. Angela Crawley
CITF PI: Drs. Angela M. Crawley and Marc-André Langlois


CITF Study:
Fine analysis of longitudinal immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in vaccination: Harnessing the power of ‘Stop The Spread Ottawa’ to understand immune protection in COVID-19

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The University of Ottawa serology and diagnostics high-throughput facility

Presenter: Danielle Dewar-Darch
CITF PI: Dr. Marc-André Langlois


CITF Study:
COVID-19 infection, antibody responses, and immunity in at-risk individuals

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Rational design and development of SARS-CoV-2 serological diagnostics by immunoaffinity proteomics

Presenter & CITF PI: Dr. Andrei Drabovich


CITF Study:
Rational design and standardization of COVID-19 antibody tests

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Optimizing the dilution factors for an in-house chemiluminescent ELISA assay to expand the linear range of quantified IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in vaccinated and infected individuals

Presenter: Ms. Freda Qi
CITF PI: Dr. Anne-Claude Gingras


CITF Study:
Variants of concern: escape from infection- and vaccination-induced immunity in older adults

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Characteristics of participants obtained from the data visualization tools of the Biobanque québécoise de la COVID-19: A powerful open science tool to advance COVID-19 research

Presenter: Dr. Madeleine Durand
CITF PI: Drs. Madeleine Durand and Simon Rousseau


CITF Study:
Determining the impact of hybrid immunity on the evolving landscape of host responses to SARS-CoV-2 in the Biobanque Québécoise de la COVID-19 (BQC19)

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Immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants and hybrid immunity

As the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved and new SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged, incidents of reinfection and of breakthrough infections among vaccinated individuals have risen worldwide. With public health restrictions lifted, people have been reverting to their pre-pandemic behaviour. This session will address the strength and durability of immunity (whether hybrid, infection-acquired, or vaccine-induced) to better inform public policy and recommendations for Canadians.

Anti-spike ADCC against SARS-CoV-2 variants is broadly conserved with hybrid immunity

Presenter: Dr. Kayla Holder
CITF PI: Dr. Michael Grant


CITF Study:
Characterization of Hybrid Cellular and Humoral Immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and Evaluation of its Role in Protection from Infection and from Severe Illness

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Live virus neutralizing antibodies against ancestral SARS-CoV-2, Delta, BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5 strains in food and retail workers in Québec, Canada.

Presenter: Prof. Mariana Baz
CITF PI: Dr. Denis Boudreau


CITF Study:
Measuring the prevalence of COVID-19 among Quebec food workers

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Omicron breakthrough infection induces superior mucosal and humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 variants than booster vaccination

Presenter & CITF PI: Prof. Jen Gommerman


CITF Study:
Addressing gaps in our understanding of the mucosal immune response to SARS-CoV-2: Implications for transmission

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Lessons learned from monitoring T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination

Presenter & CITF PI: Prof. Tania Watts


CITF Study:
Towards a better understanding of immunity to SARS-CoV-2

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COVID-19 and vaccine effects on pregnancy and infants

Pregnancy was recognized early in the pandemic as a potential risk factor for severe outcomes due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Research has since proven two things: that COVID-19 is indeed more severe in many pregnant people and that pregnant people and their babies respond just as well as the general population to COVID-19 vaccines. This session will address a broad spectrum of population research on COVID-19 and pregnancy, addressing infections, outcomes, vaccine safety, and vaccine uptake.

Deborah Money

Canadian surveillance of COVID-19 in pregnancy: Epidemiology, maternal and infant outcomes

Presenter & CITF PI: Dr. Deborah Money


CITF Study:
The Canadian Surveillance of COVID-19 in Pregnancy: Epidemiology, Maternal and Infant Outcomes (CANCOVID-Preg)

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Pregnancy, fetal, and newborn outcomes following a first booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy

Presenter: Dr. Eszter Török
CITF PI: Dr. Deshayne Fell


CITF Study:
COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy: A province-wide epidemiological assessment of safety and effectiveness using the Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) Ontario Registry

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Effectiveness of maternal mRNA COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and postpartum against Delta and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization in infants younger than 6 months of age: A Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) study

Presenter: Dr. Sarah Jorgensen
CITF PI: Dr. Jeffrey Kwong


CITF Study:
Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) Provincial Collaborative Network (PCN) COVID-19 Vaccine Post-Market Studies

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Methodologic approaches to improving seroprevalence estimates

Assessing seroprevalence has been the essential methodology used to determine the extent and fully understand the trends in immunity resulting from both infection and vaccination in Canada and around the world. Since the beginning of the pandemic, standardization, effective testing methods, and access to data have been key to efficient analysis and response. This session will present data, advantages, and limitations of new serological tests; ways to effectively manage high-throughput testing facilities during a pandemic; and the importance and lessons learned from biobanks.

Disproportionate rates of COVID-19 among Black Canadian communities: lessons from the first year of the pandemic

Presenter & CITF PI: Dr. Upton Allen


CITF Study:
Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among African Canadians: Clinical and Epidemiological Correlates

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Serology assays used in SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence surveys worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis of assay features, testing algorithms, and performance

Presenter: Dr. Rahul Arora, Ms. Harriet Ware
CITF PI: Dr. Rahul Arora, and TingTing Yan


CITF Study:
SeroTracker

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Evaluation of anti-nucleocapsid level variation in frequent plasma donors to assess SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in a vaccinated population

Presenter & CITF PI: Dr. Marc Germain


CITF Study:
Seroprevalence study and cross-validation of high-throughput serological tests conducted by the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (Héma-Québec)

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Vaccine safety and effectiveness

Vaccines have been crucial in protecting Canadians and people worldwide from severe COVID-19. Some presenters will focus on vaccine safety through the identification of potential side effects, while others will address vaccine efficacy and the protection conferred by subsequent doses, including the most recent bivalent booster vaccines.

Effectiveness of mRNA COVID-19 monovalent and bivalent vaccine booster doses against Omicron severe outcomes among adults aged ≥50 years in Ontario, Canada: A Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) study

Presenter: Dr. Ramandip Grewal
CITF PI: Dr. Jeffrey Kwong


CITF Study:
Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) Provincial Collaborative Network (PCN) COVID-19 Vaccine Post-Market Studies

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Revaccination outcomes among individuals aged 12+ with suspected hypersensitivity reactions following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: A Canadian Special Immunization Clinic (SIC) Network study

Presenter: Dr. Kyla Hildebrand
CITF PI: Dr. Karina Top


CITF Study:
Optimizing COVID-19 immunization in patients with adverse events following immunization andpatients with immunosuppression in the Special Immunization Clinic Network (SIC)

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Real-world COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness: an analysis from the ‘SUrveying Prospective Population cOhorts for COVID-19 prevalence and outcomes in Canada’ (SUPPORT-Canada) study

Presenter: Dr. Victoria Kirsh
CITF PI: Dr. Philip Awadalla


CITF Study:
Surveying prospective population cohorts for COVID19 prevalence and outcomes in Canada (SUPPORT-Canada)

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Post-COVID conditions

“Post-COVID Conditions” It is now estimated that nearly 1 in 10 people affected by COVID-19 (hospitalized and non-hospitalized individuals) may develop long COVID, which amounts to a global burden of over 16 million people. While the underlying cause of long COVID remains largely unknown, it is evident that this condition can affect individuals of all ages and is not predicated on how severe the initial COVID-19 case was. Presenters will discuss their findings in relation to the prevalence of Post-COVID Conditions in Canada, long COVID patient characteristics, and the impact of vaccination after long COVID.

Vaccination after developing long COVID is associated with reduced clinical symptoms and certain inflammatory markers but does not alter levels of persistent SARS-CoV-2 antigens

Presenter & CITF PI: Dr. Emilia Liana Falcone


CITF Study:
Identification of microbial factors to modulate immune dysregulation and treat post-COVID-19 syndrome

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Patient characteristics and prevalence of the Post COVID-19 Condition in Canada using the World Health Organization definition: A CCEDRRN patient-oriented cohort study

Presenter: Mr. Jeffrey Hau
CITF PI: Dr. Corinne Hohl


CITF Study:
Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Department Rapid Response Network: Real-World Vaccine Effectiveness and Duration of Protection in Special Populations

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The association of post-COVID-related symptoms and preceding SARS-CoV-2 infection among fully vaccinated paramedics in Canada

Presenter: Dr. Michael Asamoah-Boaheng
CITF PI: Dr. Brian Grunau


CITF Study:
Studying paramedics’ risk of exposure to COVID-19

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The Canadian COVID-19 Antibody and Health Survey: Deriving national SARS CoV-2 seroprevalence and symptomology estimates from self-collected biospecimens and questionnaire data

Presenter: Dr. Jeff Latimer
CITF PI: Dr. Ron Gravel


CITF Study:
The Canadian COVID-19 Antibody and Health Survey (CCAHS)

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Responding to diverse populations

Specific subpopulations have been affected in different ways by the COVID-19 pandemic. This session features studies that focus on populations as diverse as people experiencing homelessness, incarcerated individuals, people admitted to emergency units, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities. These studies all aim to better understand the different risks faced by specific populations and to identify some explanatory factors.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among 2SLGBTQQIA+ populations in Canada: A community-based mail-home dried blood spot study

Presenter & CITF PI: Dr. Nathan Lachowsky


CITF Study:
COVID-19 among sexual- and gender-marginalized populations in Canada

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Seroprevalence and risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 among incarcerated individuals and correctional workers in Quebec, Canada: A cross sectional study

Presenter & CITF PI: Dr. Nadine Kronfli


CITF Study:
Serologic prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among provincial prison inmates in Quebec (SPIQ)

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When treat and release fails: Characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients who return to the emergency department after discharge: An observational study by the Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Department Rapid Response Network (CCEDRRN)

Presenter: Dr. Rhonda Rosychuk
CITF PI: Dr. Corinne Hohl


CITF Study:
Canadian COVID-19 Emergency Department Rapid Response Network: Real-World Vaccine Effectiveness and Duration of Protection in Special Populations

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Predictors of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels in adults and children following two COVID-19 vaccine doses: Results from the CHILD COVID-19 Add-on Study

Presenter: Dr. Larisa Lotoski
CITF PI: Dr. Megan Azad


CITF Study:
Rapid research in the CHILD Cohort to inform Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

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