Extensive Study in Canada to Assess COVID-19 Vaccine Immune Responses and Effectiveness among People

People living with HIV are less likely to mount an adequate immune response, which may put them at higher risk for both serious COVID-19 illness and reduced response to COVID-19 vaccination. The Government of Canada, through its COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF) and Vaccine Surveillance Reference Group (VSRG), is investing approximately $1.75 million in a study that will assess the immune responses, safety, and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination for this vulnerable population that has been understudied with respect to COVID-19. The study is further supported by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), the CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN) and Stop the Spread Ottawa, bringing the total funding to more than $2.6 million.

Conducted by the CTN and a large team of co-investigators and collaborators from across Canada, the study, called COVAXHIV, is the most extensive study in Canada to date to evaluate the immunogenicity, safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in a diverse population of people living with HIV.

“There have been very limited data from clinical trials for this at-risk community,” says Dr. Aslam Anis, Principal Investigator, National Director of the CTN and Director of the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health. “The results of this study will provide critical and timely evidence to inform immunization guidelines and public health strategies for all of the approximately 67,000 Canadians living with HIV.”

Source:

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/06/16/2248061/0/en/Extensive-Study-in-Canada-to-Assess-COVID-19-Vaccine-Immune-Responses-and-Effectiveness-among-People-Living-With-HIV.html