Who Are the Reproductive Infectious Diseases Program?
The Reproductive Infectious Diseases (RID) Program is a network of health professionals, researchers and knowledge users led by Dr. Deborah Money, Head of the UBC Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and founder of the Women’s Health Research Institute. Dedicated to advancing reproductive infectious diseases care and research internationally through local, national and global research collaborations, the team works to address emergent knowledge gaps and provide guidance for the prevention, treatment, and care of reproductive infectious diseases.
When a global pandemic is declared or an emerging pathogen is identified, the RID team is looked to nationally to coordinate efforts to address the issue in the context of pregnancy. Our team employs a women’s health, evidence-based lens to research and care for reproductive infectious diseases across the life course. From team leads to trainees, we are committed to rigorous, ethical, inclusive research and care. The program has been active for 29 years with many highly valuable discoveries that have translated into practice changes to improve women’s health.
RID’s Recent Research Impact
Recently, the RID team published Reactogenicity, pregnancy outcomes and SARS-CoV-2 infection after COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy to the Vaccine JAMA network. This paper is based on findings from the Canadian COVID-19 Vaccine Registry for Pregnant and Lactating Individuals (COVERED) study, which uses online surveys to elicit self-reported outcomes related to vaccine reactogenicity, safety, SARS-CoV-2 infection, attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination and, among a subset of pregnant participants and their infants, immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines.
To date, there are over 7000 participants in COVERED. As outlined in this publication, its findings support the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine when given in pregnancy. The most commonly reported side effects within one week of vaccination including redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site, and tiredness. These side effects were more likely to occur after the 2nd dose of the vaccine in pregnancy than the 1st or 3rd dose. Additionally, no increase in poor pregnancy or infant outcomes were reported among those vaccinated versus not vaccinated during pregnancy. Lower rates of COVID-19 infection were also noted among those vaccinated versus unvaccinated.
The research is supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
What's Next?
The RID Program has current studies that are open for enrollment. They are calling on the research community to help support recruitment efforts. Both studies have specific inclusion criteria and communications toolkits to enable you to support these efforts.
COVERED study | |
Inclusion Criteria | Exclusion Criteria |
1. Became pregnant in 2023 2. 19 years of age or older | 1. Did not become pregnant in 2023 2. Less than 19 years old |
If you have community or patient partners, or a public facing website or social media channels, we appreciate you considering this ask. Click for the COVERED Communication Toolkit here.
Immune Sub-Study | |
Inclusion Criteria | Exclusion Criteria |
1. Currently pregnant and planning to deliver at BC Women’s Hospital 2. Vaccinated or planning to be vaccinated against COVID-19 during current pregnancy 3. 19 years of age or older | 1. Not currently pregnant 2. Not planning to deliver at BC Women’s Hospital 3.Not vaccinated or intending to be vaccinated against COVID-19 during current pregnancy 4. Less than 19 years old |
If you have community or patient partners, or a public facing website or social media channels, we appreciate you considering this ask. Click for the Immune Sub-Study Communication Toolkit here.
Meet the RID PROGRAM Team!
Contact the RID Program
For questions about the COVERED study or Immune Sub-study, please contact: covered.covid@ubc.ca
To reach the research team at RID, please contact: rid.program@ubc.ca