Optimizing Vaccine Uptake After Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant (OPTIMIZED study)

Project Summary

Pediatric solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are at an increased risk of infection because of the need for life-long immunosuppression. Vaccine recommendations and schedules for pediatric SOT recipients differ widely from those for immunocompetent children and adolescents, and these guidelines change with new evidence and new vaccines. The data on vaccine uptake in pediatric SOT recipients is limited and it is hypothesized that Canadian pediatric SOT recipients are undervaccinated.

In this study, researchers will establish current vaccination coverage among pediatric SOT recipients in Western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan). The research will also conduct in-depth interviews with a subset of SOT recipients and their caregivers in order to learn their perspectives on vaccinations. Study results will help us improve transplant-specific vaccination programs by addressing gaps in vaccination coverage and by using patient-centred ways to share vaccine information.

Funding support from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) through the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) and the Canadian Society of Transplantation (CST).

Project Status

Status: Active, data collection ongoing
Study Enrollment Status: Actively enrolling

Project Team

Principal Investigator

Dr. Hana Mitchell

Co-investigators

Dr. Manish Sadarangani
Dr. Tom Blydt-Hansen

Research Team Members

Lo Lee
Monica Ho
Bhavana Goursih

Enrollment Eligibility Criteria

For interviews:

  • Adolescents 10–18 years of age who are at least 12 months post SOT and are followed at one of the 3 pediatric SOT centers (Edmonton, Saskatoon, Vancouver) at the time of recruitment.
  • Caregivers of children or adolescents with SOT age 1–18 years who are at least 12 months post-SOT and are followed at one of the 3 pediatric SOT centers (Edmonton, Saskatoon, Vancouver) at the time of recruitment.
Participate

For more information, or if you're interested in participating, please email sotresearch@bcchr.ca.