David W Scheifele

I am one of the original founders 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. Bettinger, S.Gantt, 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.