Immunodeficiency Canada endorses Health Canada recommendation to get a flu shot

Getting the flu shot is your best defense against the flu. It is a safe and effective way to protect you and those around you, and helps to avoid doctor’s visits and unnecessary testing for COVID-19 during the ongoing pandemic.

It’s important to note that the flu shot will not protect you from COVID-19 – you should still wear a mask, wash your hands frequently and maintain physical distancing from others.

Protect yourself. Protect your loved ones. Get your flu shot!

Where to get your flu shot

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Information

COVID_image

COVID-19 vaccines are needed for children

With children going back to school shortly, it’s even more important to protect them from COVID-19.

https://lymphosign.com/doi/10.14785/lymphosign-2021-0025

COVID-19 post-vaccination recommendations for primary immunodeficiency

Individuals with PID should continue to maintain protective measures against SARS-CoV-2 infection, even after COVID-19 vaccination. Find out more here:

https://lymphosign.com/doi/10.14785/lymphosign-2021-0023

COVID-19 vaccination and primary immunodeficiency

Read about how the COVID-19 vaccine works with the immune system to protect you against infection.

https://lymphosign.com/doi/full/10.14785/lymphosign-2020-0020

Managing primary immunodeficiency during the COVID-19 pandemic

In this commentary by Dr. Chaim Roifman (Chairman, Immunodeficiency Canada), learn about the precautions you can take if you or a family member have primary immunodeficiency.

https://lymphosign.com/doi/full/10.14785/lymphosign-2020-0009

Government of Canada COVID-19 Vaccination information

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization/national-advisory-committee-on-immunization-naci/recommendations-use-covid-19-vaccines.html

Government of Canada COVID-19 information

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

Canadian Blood Services – convalescent plasma

https://www.blood.ca/en/convalescentplasma

Immune Deficiency Foundation COVID-19 Video Updates

July 2020: https://primaryimmune.org/news/covid-19-video-update-vaccines

May 2020: https://primaryimmune.org/news/covid-19-update-video-may-29-2020

March 2020: https://primaryimmune.org/news/covid-19-video-update-march-10

Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy Guidelines

Immunodeficiency Canada assembled a team of Immunologists from across Canada’s diagnosis and treatment centers to develop guidelines for Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy. With their experience and knowledge this team produced guidelines published in Lymphosign Journal, September 2017.  It is now the standard for diagnostic and treatment centres of Primary Immunodeficiency across Canada.

“Immunodeficiency Canada has a direct impact in the care and treatment of patients with Primary Immunodeficiency.  Through our network of Immunologists, we brought the expertise together to provide the best treatments for patients based on science.” 

National Immunoglobulin Replacement Expert Committee Guidelines

Newborn Screening for SCID

Immunodeficiency Canada, a pioneer in bringing newborn screening for SCID to Canada. In 2013, Ontario was the first province to test for SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency).

“This is a monumental triumph to children born with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and their families. Newborn screening will detect this problem early before complications develop, and allow for prompt life-saving interventions such as bone marrow transplantation. Usually the diagnosis of SCID is either missed or delayed until the age of 6-12 months of age, after patients suffer from severe and recurrent infections, and sometimes irreversible damage to organs such as the lungs. Newborn screening for SCID will no doubt save many lives and prevent suffering of children.”
Professor Chaim Roifman, MD, FRCPC
Chair and Scientific Director, Immunodeficiency Canada

Latest Province to implement Newborn Screening for SCID – B.C. and Yukon

Read More

LymphoSign Journal

The official journal of Immunodeficiency Canada. LymphoSign Journal publishes novel clinical, translational, and basic research in the fields of immunology, gastroenterology, neurology, dermatology, rheumatology, hematology, and infectious disease. The aim of the journal is to provide a forum for clinicians and scientists to discuss clinical observations, therapies, and insights into underlying disease mechanisms in immune disorders including immune deficiencies, auto-inflammatory disorders, allergy, bone marrow failure, and lymphoid malignancies. Special consideration will be given, but is not limited to, articles exploring adaptive and innate immunity, mucosal immunity, signal transduction, lymphocyte development and cell death, genomic medicine, gene regulation, DNA repair, and cell cytoskeletal networks. LymphoSign Journal publishes peer-reviewed original research articles, reviews, clinical trials, case reports, novel mutations, and imaging, as well as practice guidelines, algorithms, and protocols. www.lymphosign.com

7th Annual sCID Symposium

Immunodeficiency Canada’s 7th sCID Satellite Symposium took place on October 24th in Montreal, Quebec at the annual CSACI scientific meeting.

Awards Presentation to Abstract Winners

From Left to Right: Jean Jacques de Bruycker, Sainte-Justine, Montreal, QC, 3rd Place Abstract Winner, Shama Sud, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON., 1st Place Abstract Winner, Ori Scott, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON., Joint 2nd Place Abstract Winner, Alanna Chomyn, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC., Keelia Farrell, IWK Health Center, Halifax, NS., and Reza Alizadehfar, McGill University, Montreal, QC.

Senior Scientist Presenters

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Congratulations to the entire Immunodeficiency Canada Scotiabank team for a great year. On Sunday, October 20, with the sun was shining, the team walked and ran through the streets of downtown Toronto, helping raise awareness to PI. Thank you to our amazing team for raising over $8500.

Thank you to all our donors that supported our team.