The PREVENT-COVID Study

Introduction

Researchers at the Vaccine Evaluation Center and BC Centre for Disease Control would like to better understand immune responses to COVID-19 vaccines in adults. Multiple COVID-19 vaccines will be used in Canada and best use of these vaccines will help us control the pandemic as quickly as possible.

The purpose of this study is to measure the short- and long-term immune responses generated by different COVID-19 vaccines in adults. The goals of the study are to help researchers understand immunity to COVID-19 after vaccination and to help guide policies and recommendations for how these vaccines are used.

Study Information

Who can participate?
Adults 50 years of age and older either before they have received a COVID-19 vaccine or after they have received one or two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

What does the study involve?
Participants will be asked to answer a short online questionnaire about their basic demographics and health. They will also be sent a kit in the mail to collect an at-home self-administered finger prick blood sample before and after COVID-19 vaccination. A small number of participants will be asked for blood to be collected from a vein, and will have to come to the study centre.  The study will involve up to 8 samples over 19 months.

How much of a time commitment is this study?
Approximately 90-180 minutes.

How will I receive the survey?
You will receive a unique survey link via email.

Why do you need a blood sample?
We will be able to test for the immune response against the virus that causes COVID-19 using a small sample of your blood.

What is a dried blood spot (DBS) test?
A DBS test is a type of biological sampling that involves using a lancet to do a finger prick, then blotting the blood onto a filter paper attached to a DBS card.

How will I receive and return the kit?
The kit will be sent to you by mail. To return the kit to our research laboratory, you can pack the completely dried DBS card in the postage-paid return envelope that we provide, and drop it in the mail.

How do I sign up for this study?
You can click here and fill out an inquiry form. You can also call the Vaccine Evaluation Center at 604-875-2187 or email prevent-covid@bcchr.ubc.ca.

Resources for Participants

Download DBS collection instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

1.    Who will use the data collected during this study and what for?
This study is being led by Dr. Manish Sadarangani at the VEC and Drs. Agatha Jassem, Muhammad Morshed and Inna Sekirov at the BCCDC. The goals of the study are to help researchers understand immunity to COVID-19 after vaccination and to help guide policies and recommendations for how these vaccines are used. Results of the study may be published online, in peer-reviewed journal articles, and presented at national or international conferences. Your participation will always remain strictly confidential, and your name will never appear in any publication of the results.

2.    How many people will take part in this study?
There will be up to 5,000 adults per COVID-19 vaccine enrolled in this study.

3.    Does this study involve in-person visits?
Only for some people. Of the 5,000 participants per vaccine, 4,950 will have all study procedures happening in their home. Only people having blood collected from a vein will need to come to the study centre. For everyone else, all materials will be sent to you by mail and the return mailing envelope will be postage paid.

4.    How long will the online questionnaire take to complete?
The questionnaire will take approximately 5 minutes to complete.

5.    Will it cost me anything to participate in this study?
There is no cost for taking part in this study

6.    Will I receive compensation for participating in this study?
Most people will not be paid for taking part in this study. People who are having blood collected form a vein and have to come to the study centre will be provided $20 for each study visit (up to $160 total) as compensation and we will additionally reimburse travel or parking expenses.

7.    Who can I contact with additional questions that are not addressed here?
If you have any questions or would like further information about this study before or during participation, you can contact the study coordinator at prevent-covid@bcchr.ubc.ca or by calling 604-875-2422.