Vitalant Research Institute Leads Consortium to Track SARS-CoV-2 and Other Respiratory Viruses
.jpg.aspx "GettyImages-946264212-Seroprevalence-(2).jpg")
Oct. 14, 2024 – Vitalant Research Institute, in partnership with the American Red Cross, Creative Testing Solutions, Westat, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, announces the launch of a groundbreaking program aimed at monitoring the incidence and clinical consequences of respiratory viruses in the United States. This innovative consortium leverages the unique contributions of repeat blood donor research, including access to blood donation samples, donor surveys, testing capability, and extensive data networks to enhance public health preparedness and response.
The initiative will establish a group of at least 30,000 repeat blood donors throughout the U.S., enabling the routine collection and analysis of over 20,000 blood donation samples every quarter. The program will expand a previous CDC-funded blood donor serosurveillance program that focused on SARS-CoV-2 to monitor other respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and other potentially novel respiratory viruses.
“Our consortium brings together some of the leading organizations in blood collection, testing, and research to tackle the pressing public health challenge posed by respiratory viruses,” said Michael Busch, M.D., Ph.D., director emeritus of Vitalant Research Institute. “Through our collective expertise, we aim to provide critical insights that will inform vaccine strategies and public health responses directed against respiratory viruses.”
Key objectives of the program include:
- Estimating the incidence of respiratory infections, including reinfections, using advanced serological methods.
- Analyzing geographic and demographic variations in infection rates.
- Assessing the impact of vaccination status and risk factors for infection.
- Establishing antibody thresholds that may indicate protection against symptomatic infections.
- Monitoring trends in antibody levels and the ability to neutralize emerging viral variants.
In addition to blood sampling and testing, the program will utilize surveys to gather information on vaccination uptake, symptoms, and exposure to respiratory viruses. This comprehensive approach will yield valuable data to guide future public health initiatives.
“This research will complement existing surveillance, enhance our understanding of respiratory virus epidemiology, and position us to be able to quickly investigate and respond to infections should the country again be faced with the widespread outbreak of a novel pathogen,” stated CDR Jefferson Jones, M.D. MPH, a medical officer from CDC.
The consortium is committed to enhancing the national capacity for monitoring respiratory virus infections and will maintain a repository of samples for further investigation into the prevalence and risk factors associated with novel respiratory viruses.
As the world continues to grapple with the impact of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, this collaborative effort marks a significant step toward bolstering public health surveillance and ensuring preparedness for future outbreaks. It will serve as a vital resource for public health officials and researchers alike.
About Vitalant and Vitalant Research Institute
Vitalant is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit blood and biotherapies healthcare organizations, providing hospitals and patients across the U.S. a safe blood supply, specialized laboratory services, transfusion medicine expertise and world-renowned research. Vitalant Research Institute is dedicated to advancing blood and transfusion science through innovative research and collaborative efforts to improve patient safety and health outcomes. Individuals generously donating blood, volunteering and giving financially are essential to our lifesaving mission. Learn more at vitalant.org.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
About Creative Testing Solutions
Creative Testing Solutions (CTS) is the world's largest nonprofit blood and plasma donor testing laboratory organization. Our 1,000 team members test blood and plasma donation samples for all infectious disease markers and screening tests required by the Food and Drug Administration and other applicable regulatory bodies. We have a specialty lab department for more time-intensive testing. Our Phoenix-based research and development department supports research through sample provision and innovative testing. CTS partners with over 100 healthcare entities and operates eight facilities in Austin, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; Dallas, Texas; Memphis, Tennessee; Phoenix, Arizona; St. Louis, Missouri; San Marcos, Texas; and Tampa, Florida. CTS is a 501(c)(3) organization governed by a board of 11 directors. Learn more at Creative Testing Solutions (mycts.org).
About Westat
Westat (www.westat.com) is a leader in research, data collection and analysis, technical assistance, evaluation, and communications. Our evidence-based findings help clients in government and the private sector accelerate advancements in health, education, transportation, and social and economic policy. Since 1963, our dedication to improving lives through research and our approach to projects grounded in investigative curiosity, equity, statistical and data rigor, adaptive methods, and advanced technology are why clients find exceptional value in our work.