I am Director of the Vaccine Evaluation Center, a leading centre for applied vaccine research in Canada. Six researchers contribute to the VEC’s core research program, including S. Dobson, T. Kollmann, L. Sauvé, J. Dutz, J. Bettinger, and several more collaborate from other local institutions (BCCDC, VCHA). The researchers share a field team (coordinators, nurses, assistants), data management group (manager, statistician, assistants) and specialized laboratory. The main research themes involve disease burden studies, vaccine clinical trials, and studies to fine tune public immunization programs, including ongoing assessment of vaccine safety. The Vaccine Center researchers collaborate with vaccine specialists across the country and with provincial and federal health officials, with the goal of efficiently translating new vaccine products into optimal vaccination programs for children and adults.

I am co-leader and data supervisor for the Immunization Monitoring Program, Active (IMPACT), an active surveillance program involving 12 pediatric centers across Canada. This project is funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada and operated by the Canadian Pediatric Society and its specialist members in infectious diseases. Nurse monitors at each hospital actively search for admissions with adverse events following immunization, to assess causes and outcomes. This is a key means of assessing vaccine safety, particularly the occurrence of uncommon, severe reactions. Monitors also report on selected vaccine preventable diseases, as a measure of vaccine program effectiveness. Surveillance presently includes varicella, pertussis, invasive pneumococcal, meningococcal and influenza admissions.

I am co-leader of the PHAC/CIHR Influenza Research Network (PCIRN), responsible for the Rapid Trials activities. PCIRN was established in April 2009 to prepare for necessary investigations during an influenza pandemic and was quickly re-tasked in May 2009 to focus on the H1N1 pandemic. The PCIRN network carried out 4 trials of pH1N1 vaccine in late 2009 involving over 700 subjects at 13 centers across Canada. Related studies will continue in 2010 and 2011, the legacy from which will be an advanced state of preparedness for studies in a public health emergency.

Bettinger JA, Scheifele DW, Le Saux N, Halperin SA, Vaudry W, Tsang R; Canadian Immunization Monitoring Program, Active (IMPACT).: The impact of childhood meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccine programs in Canada. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2009 Mar;28(3):220-4.

Scheifele D W. IMPACT after 17 years: Lessons learned about successful networking. Paediatr Child Health 2009; 14:33-5.

Burton C, Vaudry W, Moore D, Scheifele D, Bettinger J, Halperin S, Tam T, Law B for the Canadian Immunization Monitoring Program, Active (IMPACT).: Children hospitalized with influenza during the 2006-2007 season: a report from the Canadian Immunization Monitoring Program, Active (IMPACT). Canada Commun Dis Report. 2008 Dec; 34(12):1-12.

Scheifele DW, Bettinger JA, Halperin SA, Law B, Bortolussi R.: Ongoing control of Haemophilus influenzae type B infections in Canadian children, 2004-2007. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2008 Aug;27(8):755-7.

Norton SP, Scheifele DW, Bettinger JA, West RM.: Influenza vaccination in paediatric nurses: cross-sectional study of coverage, refusal, and factors in acceptance. Vaccine. 2008 Jun 2;26(23):2942-8.

Kellner JD, Scheifele D, Vanderkooi OG, Macdonald J, Church DL, Tyrrell GJ.: Effects of routine infant vaccination with the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on nasopharyngeal colonization with streptococcus pneumoniae in children in Calgary, Canada. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2008 Jun;27(6):526-32.

Wootton SH, Law B, Tan B, Mozel M, Scheifele DW, Halperin S for IMPACT Investigators.: The epidemiology of children hospitalized with herpes zoster in Canada - Immunization Monitoring Program, Active (IMPACT), 1991-2005. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2008 Feb; 27(2):112-118.

Scheifele D W, Halperin S A, Ward B, Duval B. The challenges facing Canadian trialists in an increasingly competitive global market: what can be done to remain competitive? Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol 2007; 18:205-8.

Scheifele D W, Halperin S A, Ochnio J J, Mozel M, Duarte-Monteiro D, Wortzman D. Immunologic considerations for the timing of the booster dose of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in young children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2007; 26:387-392.

Bettinger J A, Scheifele D W, Halperin S A, Kellner J D, Tyrell G and Members of the Canadian Paediatric Society's Immunization Monitoring Program, Active (IMPACT). Invasive pneumococcal infections in Canadian children, 1998-2003. Can J Pub Hlth 2007; 98:111-115.

Bjornson G, Scheifele D W, Bettinger J, Patrick D M, Gustafson L, Daly P and Tyrell G J. Effectiveness of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Greater Vancouver, Canada: 2004-2005. Ped Infect Dis J 2007; 26(6):540-542.

Scheifele D W, Halperin S A, Smith B, Ochnio J, Meloff K, Duarte-Monteiro D. Assessment of the compatibility of co-administered 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate, DTaP.IPV/PRP-T Hib and hepatitis B vaccines in infants 2-7 months of age. Vaccine 2006; 24:2057-64.

Scheifele D W, Halperin S A, Ochnio J J, Ferguson A C, Skowronski D M. A modified vaccine reduces the rate of large injection site reactions to the preschool booster dose of diphtheria-tetanus acellular pertussis vaccine - results of a randomized, controlled trial. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2005: 24(12)3:28-51 PM 1059-1066.

Ochnio J J, Scheifele D W, Fyfe M, Bigham M, Bowering D, Martiquet P, Ho M, Talling D N. The prevalence of hepatitis A in children in British Columbia. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol 2005; 16(3):175-179.

Scheifele D W, Duval B, Russell M L, Warrington R, De Serres G, Skowronski d M, Dionne M, Kellner J, Davies D, MacDonald J. Ocular and respiratory symptoms attributable to inactivated split influenza vaccine: evidence from a controlled trial involving adults. Clin Infect Dis 2003 Apr 1; 36(7):850-7. Epub 2003 Mar 18.

CIHR/Wyeth Chair in Clinical Vaccine Research – 2004-2009

Alan Ross Award, Canadian Paediatric Society – 2007

Sauder Chair in Pediatric Infectious Diseases – 1997-2004

Cecilia Jankowski – Secretary
Gordean Bjornson – Finance/Research associate
Simonetta Leduc – Research office administrator
Arlene Kallos – Coordinator

Carol LaJeunesse – Coordinator

Mary Ann Mauro – Coordinator
Debbie Windover – Coordinator
Judy Needham - Coordinator
Francine Binder – Research nurse
Kathy Leung – Research nurse
Linda Warner – Research nurse
Maureen Mooney – Research nurse
Esther Sigurdson – Research nurse
Karen Kroeker – IMPACT monitor/research nurse
Debbe Heayn – Research assistant (IMPACT)
Kim LaJeunesse – Research assistant, technician
Carla Stellingwerff – Research assistant
Engy Grove – Research assistant
Kim Marty – Data team manager
Wenli Zhang – Data coordinator
Shuyu Fan – Statistician
Simon Bourdeau - Programmer