PCV20 Study

This study is evaluating how children and youth’s immune systems respond to a new vaccine (PCV20) for pneumococcal disease. The PCV20 vaccine is approved in Canada and is over 90% effective in protecting infants and young children against pneumococcal disease caused by 20 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP). This bacterium is a major cause of infection of the ears, sinuses, blood, lungs, and brain. One dose of PCV20 will be given to children and youth aged 5 to 17 years who have already received their routine pneumococcal vaccines (in line with Health Canada approved use of this vaccine). The study will compare how well the vaccine works in healthy children and youth, compared to those with underlying medical conditions or are receiving treatments that might affect how their body responds and are at higher risk of pneumococcal disease.

Why are we doing the study?

We are interested in evaluating the immune response to PCV20. This is a currently approved pneumococcal vaccine in Canada that protects children against 20 strains of SP bacteria. PCV7 was the first pneumococcal vaccine approved for use in infants and young children in Canada, but only protected against 7 strains of SP bacteria, and was replaced by PCV13 in the BC immunization program in 2010; PCV13 protects against 13 strains of SP bacteria.

Who can participate?

Your child can participate in this research study if they are aged 5-17 years and are EITHER:

  • Healthy and received PCV7 or PCV13 as part of their routine childhood vaccines (group 1);
  • OR are a recipient of a solid organ transplant (group 2);
  • OR are receiving immunomodulatory biologic agents for treatment of an inflammatory disease, irrespective of whether or not they receive immunosuppressant therapy (group 3).

What does the study involve?

Eligible children and youth are invited to make three visits to the VEC at BC Children’s Hospital. Participants will receive one dose of PCV20 on their first visit (in line with Health Canada approval for this vaccine), and be seen 1 month and 12 months after vaccination. The total participation time in this study is approximately 2.5 hours and will involve the collection of blood, fecal, and saliva samples. We will ask questions about your child/youth’s health at each visit. Participation in this study is voluntary.

How do I sign up for this study?

If you are interested in this study, please call us at 604-875-2187 or email us (vecstudies@bcchr.ubc.ca).

We hope that you will consider joining this study and contributing towards the advancement of pneumococcal vaccine research!