Canadian Immunization Research Network

The Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) represents over 150 investigators from more than 40 Canadian institutions, comprising leading experts in vaccine-related evaluative research from a wide array of disciplines. CIRN facilitates collaborative research among vaccine researchers and stakeholders, provides a training environment, and provides two-way knowledge exchange among researchers and decision makers by improving established knowledge exchange and policy development mechanisms. The network develops and test methodologies in vaccine safety, effectiveness, and adverse events; examines vaccine hesitancy and strategies to address it; evaluates current programs for vaccine coverage and effectiveness, and creates and supports a rapid response research capacity. CIRN comprises 3 cross-disciplinary Research Streams: Program Decision Support, Vaccine Evaluation, and Program Evaluation; each includes investigators spanning CIHR's 4 pillars. CIRN is supported by 6 research infrastructures: the Clinical Trials Network of 8 sites capable of rapid trials as well as long-term studies; the Serious Outcomes Surveillance Network of 43 adult hospital sites provides CIRN with surveillance and vaccine effectiveness capability across the full age spectrum; the National Ambulatory Network, with a cohort of 20,000 health care workers, seniors, and children measures adverse events following immunization; the Special Immunization Clinics Network designed to provide standardized clinical assessment of adverse events following immunization; the Provincial Collaborative Network provides a collaborative platform in which to undertake evaluative programmatic applied public health research; and the Reference Laboratory Network of 5 sites maintains a CIRN biobank and will provide a coordinating role for matching laboratory capabilities in participating academic and public health laboratories with CIRN project needs.