Vaccine-related research

The RoB-VE (Risk of Bias in Vaccine Effectiveness) Project

The RoB-VE Project is a multi-year methodological research initiative aimed at developing a risk-of-bias assessment tool for use in systematic reviews of vaccine effectiveness studies and a complementary reporting guideline to standardize and improve the reporting of primary vaccine effectiveness studies.

Want to know more? Check out the study protocol here and the website here.

Funding: CIHR.

PROPEL (PRomoting Older adults’ Pneumococcal vaccination through Education and Learning) STUDY

While adults aged 65 and older are particularly vulnerable to pneumococcal disease, vaccine uptake among this age group remains suboptimal. The PRomoting Older adults’ While adults aged 65 and older are particularly vulnerable to pneumococcal disease, vaccine uptake among this age group remains suboptimal. The PROPEL study is a web-based randomized controlled trial aimed at better understanding the reasons for low vaccine uptake and evaluating the effectiveness of an educational intervention in improving knowledge, attitudes, willingness, and uptake. We have recruited Canadian adults 65 years and older who reported not having received a pneumococcal vaccine. These participants were randomized 1:1 to receive either a web-based educational video about pneumococcal vaccination and a reminder email to be vaccinated or a reminder email alone. From the baseline survey data, we will assess knowledge of and attitudes towards pneumococcal vaccination and willingness to be vaccinated. Through a follow-up survey administered about six months post-randomization, we will assess the effectiveness of the educational intervention on pneumococcal vaccine uptake. Better understanding the knowledge of and attitudes towards pneumococcal vaccination, identifying key barriers to access, and assessing targeted interventions to improve vaccine uptake among older Canadian adults are critical to reduce the burden of pneumococcal-related diseases.

Want to know more? Check out the study protocol here and the website here.

Funding: CIRN.

FP-VAX (Family Physicians’ Perspectives on Vaccination) STUDY - Family doctors’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to respiratory syncytial virus and pneumococcal vaccination among older adults in Ontario

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pneumococcus are common pathogens that infect the respiratory tract and are responsible for potentially severe and life-threatening conditions particularly in certain high-risk groups. Family doctors play an important role in promoting patient vaccination, making it important to understand their experience and the challenges they face in recommending RSV and pneumococcal vaccines. We are conducting a mixed-methods, cross-sectional study aims to assess family doctors’ knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding RSV and pneumococcal vaccination among older adults, and to identify barriers and facilitators influencing family doctors’ vaccination practices. To this end, we are recruiting family doctors working in Ontario to participate in a web-based survey and a qualitative interview. This study will provide a comprehensive overview of family physicians’ experience regarding RSV and pneumococcal vaccination among older adults in Ontario, which could inform future efforts to support family doctors and to create educational interventions aimed at promoting vaccine uptake in this population.

Funding: J.P. Bickell Foundation.

Scoping review of RoB assessment tools for vaccine effectiveness studies

Vaccine effectiveness studies provide essential insights into real-world vaccine performance but are subject to various biases. We conducted a scoping review to 1) identify key risk-of-bias concepts in VE studies and 2) assess their impact on vaccine effectiveness estimates. Bias in vaccine effectiveness studies is complex and there is a need for methodological tools that enhance the reliability of vaccine effectiveness estimates for public health decision-making.

Want to know more? Check out the study protocol here.

Scoping review on bias concepts in vaccine effectiveness studies

Vaccine effectiveness studies provide critical real-world evidence on vaccine performance. However, this type of research and the observational designs employed are prone to biases that can impact findings. We conducted a scoping review to assess how risk of bias is evaluated in systematic reviews of observational vaccine effectiveness studies by 1) identifying the risk of bias tools used in systematic reviews of vaccine effectiveness, 2) summarizing how these tools were applied, and 3) recording any author-developed approaches to assess risk of bias and study quality. The results of this review will inform efforts to improve the quality of conducting and reporting vaccine effectiveness studies and systematic reviews.

Want to know more? Check out the study protocol here.

RSV vaccination policy review

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines have recently received regulatory approval, marking a major step forward in preventing severe respiratory illness. However, integration into national immunization programs varies across countries. This global policy review aims to examine how jurisdictions are approaching RSV vaccination, including policy development, funding decisions, and implementation strategies. The policy review will identify where vaccines have been authorized, target populations, and how immunization schedules are structured. Data will be collected through direct communication with vaccine manufacturers and review of health ministry and regulatory authority websites. By examining current policy trends and implementation frameworks, this review will provide insights into factors influencing vaccine adoption and support future strategies to enhance access and uptake.

CLSA-based study on pneumococcal vaccine uptake in older adults

Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for older adults and individuals with chronic medical conditions due to their elevated risk of invasive pneumococcal disease. Despite these recommendations, vaccination coverage in Canada remains below the national target of 80% to be achieved by 2025. To better characterize self-reported pneumococcal vaccine uptake and explore differences in uptake among eligible Canadian adults – i.e. those aged 65 and older, as well as adults under 65 with at least one chronic medical condition, we conducted an updated cross-sectional analysis using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), a nationally representative cohort established in 2011. This study analyzed self-reported pneumococcal vaccination status from the second follow-up visit (2018-2021), comparing it with data from the first follow-up visit (FUP1; 2015-2018), for which we previously published results. The updated analysis stratified findings by sociodemographic characteristics, recent influenza vaccination, and healthcare provider contact. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with becoming newly vaccinated for pneumococcal disease as reported during FUP2 (2018-2021) compared with FUP1 (2015-2018).