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Full Report [ HTML | PDF (557 KB) | Help ]
Canadian and international vaccine experts and researchers gathered in Ottawa on August 31 and September 1, 2005 to examine the current state of research and make recommendations on national research priorities that will enhance pandemic and inter-pandemic influenza prevention and control strategies for Canada. The event was sponsored and organized by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Institute of Infection and Immunity in partnership with the Canadian Association for Immunization Research and Evaluation (CAIRE).
The meeting included plenary sessions in which experts gave an overview of the current knowledge of influenza. Dr. Mark Loeb of McMaster University gave an introductory talk on influenza, which was followed by a summary of current pandemic/inter-pandemic (annual) influenza preparedness and control strategies by Dr. Theresa Tam of the Public Health Agency of Canada. Dr. Fred Aoki of the University of Manitoba spoke about antivirals for influenza control, and Dr. Susan Tamblyn reviewed influenza vaccines. Dr. David Scheifele of the Canadian Association for Immunization Research and Evaluation summarized current Canadian influenza research activities. Dr. Ben Schwartz of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlighted the U.S. influenza research approach, and global influenza research strategies and activities were reviewed by Dr. Klaus Stöhr from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Participants then worked in small groups to identify key gaps in knowledge and research activities needed to enhance influenza prevention and control strategies. The research needs were prioritized, and the top three to five priorities from each break-out group were combined into ten research priority areas in the final integration and summation session. The following research priority areas are explained further in the final report.
Priority Research Areas for Pandemic and Annual Influenza prevention and controlInfluenza virus characterization and ecology
Studies are needed on the basic science (virology, immunology, biology) of influenza viruses and the ecological relationships between animal and human viruses. More information concerning influenza subtypes is required to determine the nature and extent of animal reservoirs, and the factors involved in viral modification and acquisition of virulence.
Influenza virus transmission
An enhanced understanding of the influenza virus shedding patterns of infected persons and the means of transmission to susceptible contacts is needed.
Public health preventive measures
Public health research is needed to understand the effectiveness and safety of current public health interventions aimed at preventing infection both in the community and institutions, as well as knowing how populations react to influenza and influenza control.
Improving rapid diagnostic tests
Currently there is a lack of highly accurate and rapid diagnostic tests for influenza, therefore, research aimed at the development of these diagnostics is needed.
Clinical management of influenza patients
It is necessary to better understand the most effective ways to clinically manage and treat influenza patients, particularly the most ill, including new methods to rapidly diagnose influenza.
Development and optimal use of antiviral drugs
Research aimed at the development and use of antivirals in the treatment of individuals with influenza and in the prevention of infection is needed. This includes studies of novel approaches with existing antiviral medications and also research aimed at the development and evaluation of new antiviral agents.
Surge capacity of the health care system
This research gap includes activities aimed at being ready to respond quickly and effectively to increased demand in capacity encountered during annual influenza epidemics and the next pandemic.
More effective and acceptable influenza vaccines
More effective vaccines must be developed using new technologies that trigger the immune system more readily, produce longer lasting protection, produce cross-protection and non-injection delivery methods.
Immunization programs
The differences in vaccination programs across Canada provide a significant opportunity to evaluate various vaccination strategies to control influenza. Population-based data on the uptake, effectiveness and safety of influenza immunization is needed.
Preparation for a pandemic vaccine
Many challenges involved in the preparation, testing, and evaluation of a vaccine in the context of a pandemic are expected. Canada will be responsible for evaluating the pandemic vaccine produced by its domestic manufacturer.
At the conclusion of the two days, participants evaluated the workshop. Overall, participants agreed that the process in developing consensus on research priorities was appropriate, and that the objectives of the workshop were achieved but further priority-setting of the final top ten list is needed. The workshop Planning Committee and workshop participants provided further input to define the research priorities into ten research themes which are included in this report. The findings will be communicated to funding agencies and decision makers in Canada and internationally. Strategic approaches for funding the identified influenza research priorities will be developed and pursued in 2006.
