CCfV News & Events

On March 31, 2026, researchers, clinicians, trainees, public health officials and community partners gathered in Halifax for the 31st Annual Infectious Diseases Research Day & 18th Annual CCfV Symposium. The day served as a meaningful demonstration that strong research communities are built through connection, interdisciplinary thinking, and collective learning across career stages. Co-developed by Dalhousie

The annual Infectious Diseases Research Day and CCfV Symposium showcases the important work undertaken by researchers associated with the Canadian Center for Vaccinology and the Divisions of Infectious Diseases at IWK Health and Nova Scotia Health. Faculty, researchers, trainees, and members of the community are all invited to take part in this educational event. Here

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common virus that circulates every year mostly during the fall and winter seasons. For most people, symptoms may be like a common cold.   For infants, young children, elderly, or immunocompromised people, RSV can become more serious. They may even need to be hospitalized if infected with the virus.  Since

Above: The CCfV Challenge Unit in Halifax.   The CCfV Challenge Unit is a specialized research facility –  the only of its kind in the Atlantic provinces, and one of only a handful worldwide.   Located at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, N.S., the Challenge Unit was built to contain airborne bacteria and viruses. It

This blog is in acknowledgement of International Youth Day, which recognizes how young people make a meaningful difference around the world. This year, the United Nations wants people to know that youth taking action in their local communities can help reach the UN’s global Sustainable Development Goals  (SDGs). CCfV’s work contributes to the ongoing progression

The 2025 Picchione Symposium on Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes took place on July 2, 2025, led by CCfV investigator Dr. Tobias Kollmann. Thank you to Dayna Park from the Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine for this comprehensive article (linked below) highlighting important takeaways from the event. Article link: 2025 Picchione Symposium Confronts the Crisis in Maternal and

GSK and Dalhousie University Collaborate to Address Health Equity Gaps through the GSK Vaccinology and Health Equity Fellowship Award Halifax | June 18th Dr. Stephana Julia Moss, an investigator at the Canadian Center for Vaccinology (CCfV), Dalhousie University, has been honoured as the recipient of the GSK Vaccinology and Health Equity Fellowship Award. This new

January 28, 2025 | CBC News A new study is showing a policy change in 2016 related to the vaccination of some premature babies for RSV in Nova Scotia led to a tenfold increase in the number of infants in that group that were hospitalized with the respiratory virus.  The policy was reversed in 2023.

December 4, 2024 | CBC News A measles outbreak in New Brunswick and a surge of cases across Canada has renewed calls for a national vaccination registry.  New Brunswick has 50 confirmed cases of the highly infectious respiratory disease, as of Wednesday — all in health Zone 3, which includes Fredericton and parts of the

November 4, 2024 | CBC Kids News Experts recommend that kids get a flu vaccine this fall. Kids who are looking for extra protection against COVID-19 have the option of a COVID vaccine, too.   “The influenza vaccine is a great idea and it’s a very safe vaccine,” said Dr. Joanne Langley, a pediatric infectious disease

December 11, 2023 | CBC News Almost four years into the pandemic many people have been taking a more carefree approach to COVID-19.  Dr. Lisa Barrett, an infectious diseases specialist and assistant professor at Dalhousie’s School of Medicine, says it’s important to still be vigilant.  Barrett told Portia Clark of CBC Radio’s Information Morning Nova

November 17, 2023 | CBC News “I sneezed two times in succession, and I was kind of like — oh no — is it starting?” That isolation and anxiety might feel overly familiar, but Mullin isn’t talking about catching COVID-19 or enduring a lockdown in early 2020. Instead, after years of restrictions and rapid tests and

November 1, 2023 | Global News Global’s Eilish Bonang speaks with Dr. May ElSherif from the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology about her involvement with the Challenge Unit at the IWK; a space designed to conduct human challenge trials and other specialized clinical trials. Full Story

June 13, 2023 | Global News Global’s Eilish Bonang is joined in studio by Dr. Scott Halperin, the director of the Canadian Center for Vaccinology, to talk about the recent million dollar grant given to the Halifax-based research center.  Full Story

April 17, 2023 | Global News A recent measles scare is prompting a reminder from health officials in Nova Scotia to ensure you and your loved ones are vaccinated against the illness.  Measles is considered one of the world’s most contagious diseases. It can spread through the air by coughing and sneezing.  The infection prevention

February 21, 2023 | Haligonia “Studies are not possible without participants,” explains Dr. May Elsherif. “They are the lifeline of clinical trial research that aims at improving standard of care.” Dr. Elsherif  would know. She is a clinical scientist and the Director of Laboratory Operations at the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology’s (CCfV) Challenge Unit located at the IWK

February 15, 2023 | CBC News It’s been almost three years since Nova Scotia had its first confirmed case of COVID-19. While the worst of the pandemic appears to be behind us, Dr. Lisa Barrett says there are still steps people should take to protect themselves and those around them. Full Story