Our Research

The Vaccine Evaluation Center (VEC) is committed to building a world without vaccine-preventable diseases. Our research and evaluation projects span across all age groups and include laboratory science, clinical trials, epidemiologic studies, social sciences, program implementation and surveillance.

Explore our current research based on disease type and area of focus. To learn more about each disease, please see our Professionals page.

• Antimicrobial resistance
• HPV (human papillomavirus)
• Meningococcal
• Mpox
• Pneumococcal
• Vaccine Confidence
• Vaccine Surveillance
• Varicella
• Whooping Cough

Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites evolve and no longer respond to medicines. This makes infections harder to treat and increases the risk of the spread of disease, severe illness, and death.

The RESTORE Study

The RESTORE Study: Surveillance of multi-drug RESisTant Gram-negative bacterial infectiOns in children

Principal Investigator: Dr. Manish Sadarangani

VEC Co-Investigator: Dr. Ashley Roberts

This study aims to identify risk factors associated with multi-drug resistant (MDR)-bacterial infections in children attending BC Children’s Hospital. We are examining what treatments children with resistant bacterial infections need and how they recover in comparison to children with bacterial infections that are not multi-drug resistant. In addition, we collect bacterial samples from patients allowing for further investigation of the differences between MDR-bacteria and non-MDR bacteria.

We will be expanding beyond the RESTORE study in collaboration with the POPCORN network (Pediatrics Outcomes imProvement through the COordination of Research Networks). POPCORN links 16 of Canada’s children’s hospitals and major pediatric research centers, as well as several multidisciplinary national networks. This work will focus on infections caused by Klebsiella, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus, all bacteria that the World Health Organization and Public Health Agency of Canada have identified as some of the biggest threats for antimicrobial resistance.  
 

Klebsiella Antigen Identification and Immune Response Study

Klebsiella antigen identification and immune response (KLEAR): a prospective observational study of children with Klebsiella infection 

Principal Investigator: Dr. Manish Sadarangani

VEC Co-Investigators: Dr. Ashley Roberts

Klebsiella is a type of bacteria normally found in the human microbiome that can sometimes cause infections and other diseases like urinary tract infections (UTIs) or bloodstream infections. Many Klebsiella bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, making infections much more difficult to treat. Globally, Klebsiella is a leading cause of neonatal sepsis and infectious death in children.

The KLEAR study will identify immunogenic vaccine targets for a Klebsiella vaccine. It will do so by characterizing the antibody response to invasive Klebsiella infection. The secondary goals of this study are to identify the function of anti-Klebsiella antibodies after a Klebsiella infection and to characterize cell-based immune responses to Klebsiella infection. This is the first study of pediatric-only Klebsiella infections in North America.

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HPV (human papillomavirus)

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), with an estimated lifetime risk of 80% among sexually active individuals. Females and males are both susceptible to HPV. Globally, HPV is one of the leading causes of cancer. HPV can cause several different kinds of cancer, including oral, cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, and anal cancer. Almost all (99%) of cervical cancers are caused by HPV.

QUEST: 10 Year HPV Vaccine Evaluation

The national Quadrivalent HPV Vaccine Evaluation Study (QUEST) is following participants for up to 10 years after their first HPV vaccine in order to assess HPV risk, HPV prevalence, and whether two doses of the vaccine Gardasil provides similar protection as three doses against human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer.

Co-Principal Investigators: Dr. Manish Sadarangani, Dr. Gina Ogilvie (BCCDC) and Dr. Mel Krajden (BCCDC)

Why are we doing this study?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most commonly sexually transmitted infections (STI) and Current HPV vaccine is recommended on a three dose schedule, a decrease in dosage can make HPV vaccines more accessible. The study aims to answer the following questions:

• Are two doses of HPV vaccine enough to provide continued protection?
• What level of HPV disease is present in the vaccinated population?
• Is there a difference between the groups that had two doses of the vaccine, versus those that had three?

QUEST-ADVANCE

The QUadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine Evaluation STudy with ADdition of the nonaVAleNt vaCcinE (QUEST-ADVANCE) study is looking at the differences in HPV vaccine dosing schedules. Women ages 20-27 and men ages 15-20 are invited to participate in this observational study regardless of whether or not they have received the HPV vaccine.

Co-Principal Investigators: Dr. Manish Sadarangani and Dr. Gina Ogilvie (BCCDC)

VEC Co-Investigator: Dr. Julie Bettinger

Why are we doing this study?

The elimination of cervical cancer has been listed by the World Health Organization as a top health priority and Canada is poised to be one of the first countries to achieve this goal. Ongoing evaluation of the HPV vaccine and dosing schedule is critical to optimizing the vaccine’s cancer-eliminating potential. The results of this study will also provide crucial insight into the long-term immunity of the HPV vaccine and help researchers determine how many doses are needed.

ACE-PROVE Study

ACE-PROVE: Predictors of HPV vaccine uptake study 

Co-principal Investigators: Dr. Julie Bettinger and Dr. Gina Ogilvie (BCCDC)

VEC Co-Investigator: Dr. Manish Sadarangani

The purpose of this study is to determine the current factors (knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs) that influence parental decisions to vaccinate their children with HPV vaccine and accordingly, what actions can be taken to increase HPV vaccine uptake in BC and Canada. This study is surveying and talking with parents about their attitudes and views on HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination for their children in Grade 6. The surveys and interviews with parents are complete.

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Meningococcal

A germ called meningococcus (Neisseria meningitides) can cause many serious diseases, including meningitis and septicemia (blood poisoning). Meningitis affects the brain and spinal cord. It can cause hearing loss, seizures, learning and behavior problems, severe brain damage and even death. Death is caused in about half of the cases if left untreated.

Meningococcal B Vaccine (MenB) Project 

The MenB systematic review explores the safety, immunogenicity, efficacy and effectiveness of capsular group B meningococcal vaccines.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Manish Sadarangani

VEC Co-Investigator: Dr. Julie Bettinger

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is the most life-threatening form of illness with Neisseria meningitidis capsular group B as the leading cause in Canada. The MenB systematic review examines different aspects of MenB vaccines including safety, effectiveness, and immunogenicity (the ability of a vaccine to provoke an immune response) in preventing IMD for those under 25 years of age.

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Mpox

Mpox is an illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of orthopoxvirus. It can lead to symptoms such as painful rashes, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and fatigue. While most individuals fully recover from mpox, severe cases, including death, can occur. A 2-dose mpox vaccine is authorized in Canada for those 18 and older at high risk of mpox exposure.

The Mpox Vaccination Campaign 2022-23 Study

The Mpox Vaccination Study seeks to understand the experiences of people who were eligible for preventive vaccination against Mpox in British Columbia, Quebec, and Ontario in 2022-23.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Devon Greyson

The purpose of this study is to assess what went well and what could be improved about this vaccination campaign and similar ones. Researchers are studying communications and conducting interviews to explore perceptions of mpox and of mpox vaccination. The study is also examining people’s feelings about mpox vaccination safety monitoring, and the strategies public health and community organizations use to improve vaccine access and uptake.

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Pneumococcal

Pneumococcal disease is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP). This is a major cause of infection of the ears, sinuses, blood, lungs, and brain. Children under 2 years of age have the highest rates of disease. Even with treatment, many children with severe disease may die or experience severe complications, such as meningitis, pneumonia, septicemia (blood poisoning), hearing loss, or brain damage.

PCV20 Study

This study is evaluating how children and youth’s immune systems respond to a new vaccine (PCV20) for pneumococcal disease.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Manish Sadarangani

VEC Co-Investigators: Dr. Bhavjinder Dhillon, Dr. Gabrielle Gaultier, Dr. Hana Mitchell, Dr. Estelle Morin, Dr. Kevin Meesters

The PCV20 vaccine is approved in Canada and is over 90% effective in protecting infants and young children against pneumococcal disease caused by 20 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae. This bacterium is a major cause of infection of the ears, sinuses, blood, lungs, and brain. One dose of PCV20 will be given to children and youth aged 5 to 17 years who have already received their routine pneumococcal vaccines (in line with Health Canada approved use of this vaccine). The study will compare how well the vaccine works in healthy children and youth, compared to those with underlying medical conditions or are receiving treatments that might affect how their body responds, and are at higher risk of pneumococcal disease.

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Vaccine Confidence

It's normal to have questions and concerns about vaccines. Vaccine confidence is the belief that vaccines are effective and safe.

Understanding factors that influence vaccine decision-making, such as cultural, social, and political factors, is important for building stronger provincial and national vaccination programs.

Optimizing Vaccine Uptake After Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant

The study will help improve transplant-specific vaccination programs by addressing gaps in vaccination coverage and using patient-centered ideas to share vaccine information.

The study will help improve transplant-specific vaccination programs by addressing gaps in vaccination coverage and using patient-centered ideas to share vaccine information.

Co-Principal Investigators: Dr. Hana Mitchell, Dr. Catherine Burton (University of Alberta), and Dr. Athena McConnell (University of Saskatchewan)

VEC Co-Investigator: Dr. Manish Sadarangani

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

In this study researchers will establish current vaccination coverage among pediatric SOT recipients in Western Canada (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan). Research will also conduct in-depth interviews with a sub-set of SOT recipients and their caregivers in order to learn their perspectives on vaccinations.

Vaccines in Pregnancy (VIP)

The VIP study seeks to improve vaccine communication in pregnancy.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Eliana Castillo (University of Calgary)

VEC Site Investigator: Dr. Julie Bettinger

This study developed a training course for perinatal care providers on vaccine communication and a website with information for pregnant women and people. The website can be found at vaccinesinpregnancycanada.ca.

The next phase of this project will evaluate the website and training module in pre-natal clinics in British Columbia, Alberta, and Nova Scotia.

Evaluation of BC’s Immunization Communication Tool

This study is evaluating BC’s Immunization Communication Tool.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Julie Bettinger

VEC Co-Investigator: Dr. Devon Greyson

The immunization communication tool (ICT) is a provincial resource that was first developed in 2008 by the BC Immunization Committee to support health care providers with the information and tools needed to deliver vaccine communication. This study will collect feedback from immunization providers across British Columbia through surveys and interviews, and will provide feedback on the tool and what immunization providers need to better communicate about vaccines in a culturally safe way. This evaluation will allow for revisions to the ICT. Data collection is complete for this project.

Vaccines and Me

This study is gathering youth perspectives on vaccines and using that data to develop a youth-oriented online hub.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Alastair McAlpine

VEC Co-Investigator: Dr. Manish Sadarangani

Many studies have explored the knowledge, attitudes, and perspectives to vaccines in adult and healthcare provider populations, but few have focused on youth. Some have explored youth perspectives on specific vaccines, such as the COVID-19 vaccine, but there remains limited data on youth attitudes toward vaccination more broadly.

Vaccines and Me will identify vaccine knowledge gaps among BC children and youth aged 11 to 18. By creating digital tools and resources, the program aims to strengthen vaccine knowledge and boost confidence in vaccines among young people.

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Vaccine Surveillance

Monitoring how well a vaccine works and if it is safe continues after a vaccine is approved for use in the population. This is called vaccine surveillance.

This is an important part of immunization research to ensure the highest standards of safety and quality continue to be met. As an independent academic center, we are well situated to objectively monitor the quality of our vaccine products and programs.

The Canadian National Vaccine Safety (CANVAS) Network

CANVAS is a national platform that monitors vaccine safety after vaccines are approved for use.

Co-Principal Investigators: Dr. Julie Bettinger and Dr. Matthew Muller (Unity Health Toronto)

VEC Co-Investigator: Dr. Manish Sadarangani

Why are we doing this study?

The purpose of this study is to monitor the safety of new vaccines or monoclonal antibodies used in public vaccination programs. Vaccines and immunizations monitored to date include: COVID-19, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), avian influenza, and seasonal influenza (flu), mpox and meningococcal. These studies complement Canada's passive vaccine safety surveillance system by providing rapid information in the early stages of each vaccine campaign. For more information on CANVAS, please see the CANVAS Network website.

Canada’s Immunization Monitoring Program ACTive (IMPACT)

IMPACT – Surveillance of vaccine preventable disease(s) hospitalizations in children

Co-Principal Investigators: Dr. Manish Sadarangani and Dr. Shaun Morris (The Hospital for Sick Children)

Data Center Director: Dr. Julie Bettinger

IMPACT is a paediatric hospital-based national active surveillance network for selected infectious diseases that are, or will be, vaccine preventable. These selected diseases are pertussis (whooping cough), varicella zoster virus (chickenpox and shingles), and invasive infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae and invasive group A Streptococcus.

Why are we doing this study?

IMPACT monitors the pattern of diseases that are currently or potentially vaccine-preventable in children. It also monitors how well our vaccine programs work. IMPACT complements existing national surveillance systems, supports public health action, informs policy dialogue with Federal, Provincial, Territorial and other national stakeholders, and assists in meeting Canada’s international commitments for disease reporting.

Special Immunization Clinic Network

This study is collecting information from patients who are attending the Special Immunization Clinic (SIC) at BC Children’s Hospital due to concerns around receiving vaccines. Researchers are combining the information they get from patient visits, with that of similar patients across Canada, in order to help doctors improve care for other patients who have vaccine concerns.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Karina Top (University of Alberta)

VEC Site Principal Investigator: Dr. Manish Sadarangani

VEC Co-Investigator: Dr. Hana Mitchell

Why are we doing this study?

While vaccines have decreased diseases around the world and are generally considered safe, there are a few cases of serious and severe side effects from vaccination. People who have had serious side effects are sometimes anxious about whether or not to have more vaccines, and there is currently little scientific data to help these people decide what to do next. The Special Immunization Clinic (SIC) Network runs across 13 sites in six provinces and conducts multi-center research studies to optimize the clinical management of patients with contraindication to vaccination and those with adverse events following immunization (AEFI) and use of vaccines in children and youth with immunosuppression due to various causes.

Read more

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Varicella

Varicella, also known as chickenpox, is a very common and highly infectious childhood disease that is found worldwide. The defining symptom is a characteristic blister-like rash, which can cause severe irritation. Approximately one in 200 children who got the disease were hospitalized every year with 1-2 deaths occurring annually.

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) in Solid Organ Transplant (SOT)

This study is investigating how health care providers and caregivers will accept chickenpox vaccination, as well as evaluating the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness in children with transplants.

Co-Principal Investigators: Dr. Manish Sadarangani, Dr. Karina Top (University of Alberta), and Dr. Catherine Burton (University of Alberta)

VEC Co-Investigators: Dr. Julie Bettinger, Dr. Estelle Morin, and Dr. Hana Mitchell

Why are we doing this study?

Chickenpox, or varicella, was once a common childhood illness. In children with weakened immune systems, it can be even worse and has been known to cause complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis and even death.

Doctors have historically not given this vaccine to children with transplants; however, new studies are showing that it is actually safe and effective for certain patients.

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Whooping Cough

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a respiratory illness caused by Bordetella pertussis. Symptoms include prolonged cough, and in infants can cause breathing pause and death. Pertussis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants < 3 months of age, who are below the age of recommended pertussis immunization. The Tdap vaccine is recommended as an important part of a healthy pregnancy, protecting pregnant people and their child against three potentially life-threatening bacterial diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).

Tdap in pregnancy in Uganda in HIV positive/negative women

This study aims to understand the function of antibodies induced following Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) immunization during pregnancy, and explore if there are differences between HIV-positive and HIV-negative women.

Why are we doing this study?

Co-Principal Investigators: Dr. Manish Sadarangani, and Dr. Kirsty Le Doare (Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group)

Why are we doing this study?

Immunization against pertussis in pregnancy is a recommended strategy for the prevention of infant pertussis. However, vaccine effectiveness may be different in immunocompromised individuals such as women living with HIV. This study will investigate whether vaccines given to women living with HIV have similar immunogenicity and reactogenicity to vaccines given to pregnant women without HIV. The study will also monitor the effect of Tdap immunization in pregnancy on infant immune responses.

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