About Us
The University of Toronto (U of T) launched the Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases (CVPD) in 2019 to be a hub for vaccine researchers and innovative vaccine science. Housed at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health (DLSPH), the CVPD fosters collaboration between academics, public health professionals, policymakers, and health care providers to maximize the health benefits of immunization for everyone.
Our work revolves around four pillars:
- Burden of disease trends and vaccine impact
- Immunization science and diagnostics
- Vaccine access and policy
- Vaccine confidence, practice, and communication
We aim to contribute locally and globally to healthy communities through excellence in interdisciplinary vaccine-preventable disease and immunization research and education.
Announcing the Explain It Like I’m 6: A Vaccine Education Contest, presented in partnership by University of Toronto’s Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases (CVPD) and the Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium (EPIC).
The impact of vaccines was pulled into sharp focus during the pandemic, as were the gaps in the public’s understanding of vaccine science. With this in mind, we invite students at Canadian universities to get creative and explain an aspect of vaccines or vaccine science in a way that a 6-year-old would comprehend. After all, as the saying goes, if you can’t explain it to a child, you don’t understand it yourself.
This contest is now closed. Thank you to all who sent in submissions. Winners will be announced in April.
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Transparency Statement
The Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases is supported by the Dalla Lana School of Public Health (DLSPH), which receives operational funding from the University of Toronto, as well as funding from grant and private sector sources. Private sector funding sources include support from Merck, Sanofi, and Pfizer. A set of governance processes are in place at the DLSPH to ensure that the Centre operates in accordance with University of Toronto policies, and without influence from its funders. Decisions on private sector support are made in consultation with the Dean, relevant faculty and Advancement, with oversight from a Senior Advisory Committee of the University of Toronto. The partnership between the CVPD and private sector funders supports the advancement and sharing of vaccine knowledge, research, and education to help communicate the importance of immunization as a cornerstone of public health.