Canadian and international experiences with infectious disease outbreaks, including most recently with the COVID-19 pandemic, underscore the importance of continuing to build global expertise in epidemic and pandemic preparedness and ensuring Canadian researchers remain leaders in vaccine development.

“Responding to global health security threats requires international collaboration and strong relationships between partners. Canada’s renewed partnership with CEPI will further enable Canadian vaccine researchers to work with experts in vaccine research from around the world to help strengthen our preparedness for future epidemics and pandemics. Congratulations to the recipients and thank you for your commitment to saving lives through vaccines.”

The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Health

“The health and safety of Canadians has been the Government’s top priority, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and it has invested heavily internationally, which also protects Canadians. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the serious health, economic, social and security impacts that infectious diseases can have. Continuing to invest to ensure that vaccines and other effective medical countermeasures are available quickly and early is essential to help mitigate these risks.”

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan
Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada

“Our government remains committed to investing in vaccine research and health security preparedness here in Canada and around the world. Thank you and congratulations to the recipients – your work is pivotal and indispensable.”

Anita Vandenbeld
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how important it is to be prepared for future disease outbreaks. Our investment in this CIHR-CEPI partnership will advance the career development of leading Canadian vaccine researchers and provide governments with the knowledge and tools to fend off future global infectious disease threats.”

Dr. Michael J. Strong
President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research

“We are delighted to announce this partnership with CEPI, which will provide an exciting professional development opportunity for Canadian infection and immunity researchers to build and share leading-edge skills across CEPI and its network. This investment will create new scientific knowledge and opportunities for collaboration across nations to advance CEPI’s and Canada’s scientific capacity to tackle COVID-19 and other pathogens with epidemic or pandemic potential.”

Dr. Charu Kaushic
Scientific Director, CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity

“I am enormously grateful to the Government of Canada for taking decisive action to combat the ever-increasing threat posed by infectious disease outbreaks through its generous pledge to CEPI. As we strive to get ahead of future epidemics and pandemics for the benefit of all, Canada’s continued leadership on the global stage and the contribution of its outstanding life sciences institutions will be key to our success. The CIHR-CEPI awards build upon CEPI’s long-standing alliance with Canada to leverage the world-class expertise of Canadian researchers to enhance  global health security.”

Dr. Richard Hatchett
CEO, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations

• CEPI is a world leader in supporting research into vaccine development and enabling equitable access to vaccines. It is known for co-leading the COVAX program that is supplying developing nations with COVID-19 vaccines.

• Since 2017, Canada has provided a total of $114 million to CEPI to support their first strategic cycle (CEPI 1.0), which includes $90 million for COVID-19 vaccines and $24 million to support vaccine research and development efforts for high consequence pathogens of security concern.

• The Government of Canada applies a multi-sectoral, whole-of-government approach to support CEPI’s work. CEPI also has partnerships with life sciences institutions in Canada including the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, Nexelis, and VBI Vaccines.

• Through this investment, the Government of Canada and CEPI are accelerating the development of vaccines against emerging infectious diseases that have the potential to cause epidemics and pandemics.

Related products

• Backgrounder: CIHR-CEPI Leadership Award for Excellence in Vaccine Research for Infectious Diseases of Epidemic Potential

Associated links

• Canada announces additional support for equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines
• Canada announces support for equitable access to new COVID-19 medical solutions
• Canada and international partners launch the Coronavirus Global Response
• Leadership Awards for Excellence in Vaccine Research
• CEPI.net

Guillaume Bertrand
Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Health
613-957-0200

Haley Hodgson 
Press Secretary 
Office of the Minister of International Development 
Haley.Hodgson@international.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

Media Relations Office 
Global Affairs Canada 
media@international.gc.ca

CEPI Press Office
press@cepi.net

At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada's health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.