EDMONTON—As the weather cools and the seasons transition, the risk of respiratory illnesses is once again on the rise. After experiencing a tripledemic — when RSV, flu, and COVID-19 peaked at the same time — in 2022, what’s in store this year? The University of Alberta has experts who are primed to discuss the latest insights on COVID-19, RSV, and the perennial challenge of flu prevention. Journalists are invited to dive deep into these pressing topics with leading experts who can provide valuable perspectives on the 2023 respiratory season.
- Shannon MacDonald, a nursing professor at the U of A, is an expert in the field of immunization. She says there are systemic barriers, and facilitators, that influence vaccination rates and decisions. MacDonald can also discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people’s attitudes toward other vaccines.
- Researchers at the University of Alberta have identified an amino acid that may play a key role in predicting outcomes and treating a severe post-COVID-19 condition, also known as long COVID. Gavin Oudit, a professor of medicine who led the research, can discuss the findings and important takeaways for COVID patients.
- Shazma Mithani is an emergency physician at Edmonton’s Royal Alexandra and Stollery Children’s Hospitals and a clinical professor with the U of A’s Department of Emergency Medicine. Mithani says long lingering coughs during the respiratory season are not uncommon. She can discuss what causes a chronic cough and has tips on how to treat it—along with advice for when a trip to the emergency room is warranted.
- Is there a future where universal vaccines — a type of immunization designed to provide broad and long-lasting protection against multiple strains or variants of a specific pathogen — could eliminate the need for annual, or bi-annual shots for illnesses like the flu, COVID-19 and RSV? Virologist David Evans believes so. He notes it’s a difficult problem, but a solution could involve using advanced methods to predict immune targets and new approaches to include multiple target antigens in future vaccines.
- David Marchant is an expert in respiratory viruses like RSV, Flu and SARS-CoV-2. Marchant can speak to the drugs available to treat the viruses and the critical role of vaccination in their prevention and management. He can also discuss why booster shots are needed each year, and which people in the population are most vulnerable.
- Joan Robinson, a U of A pediatric infectious diseases specialist, says two important advances are on their way soon that will help ease the impact of RSV. The first is a monoclonal antibody, designed to protect infants during their first RSV season. The second is a new vaccine administered to pregnant individuals to safeguard newborns and prevent severe RSV. Robinson is available to discuss the significance of these innovations and their anticipated effects.
To arrange interviews with any of these experts, please contact:
Ross Neitz | U of A media strategist | ross.neitz@ualberta.ca | 780-297-8354
Sarah Vernon | University of Alberta communications associate | svernon@ualberta.ca