COVID-19 Evidence Synthesis

The SPOR Evidence Alliance is committed to promoting evidence-informed health policy, practice and service by providing context-sensitive and demand-driven up-to-date scientific evidence to decision-makers. This page showcases knowledge synthesis work being conducted by the SPOR Evidence Alliance researchers in response to decision-maker needs.

If you  are seeking synthesized evidence to inform decision(s) related to health policy, practice and/or service for COVID-19, please tell us about your research needs by completing the query intake form found here.

We will be making ongoing updates and additions to this page. Stay tuned.


What is the socioeconomic impact of post COVID-19 condition (PCC)? Completed

View Findings


Report Update 1 (November 28, 2023)

Full Report (January 31, 2023)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research through COVID-END
Knowledge user(s): Public Health Agency of Canada
Led by: Dr. Craig Mitton, Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia


Myocarditis and Pericarditis Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Rapid Review Completed

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Report Update 4 – Corrected (December 29, 2023)

Report Update 4 (March 29, 2023)

Report Update 3 (September 26, 2022)

Report Update 2 (May 17, 2022)

Report Update 1 (February 10, 2022)

Lay Summary (English November 18, 2021)

Lay Summary (French November 18, 2021)

Full Report (November 13, 2021)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research through COVID-END
Knowledge user(s): Public Health Agency of Canada
Patient partner(s): Linda Wilhelm, Natasha Trehan
Led by: Dr. Lisa Hartling, Alberta Research Centre for Health Evidence (ARCHE), University of Alberta


The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Three Core Drivers of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Rapid Scoping Review Completed

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Full Report (November 4, 2022)

Report Update 1 (May 30, 2023)

Report Update 2 (November 3, 2023)

Funded by: Public Health Agency of Canada through COVID-END
Knowledge user(s): Public Health Agency of Canada
Led by: Global Strategy Lab


Effectiveness of Border Closures, Travel Restrictions, Screening, and Quarantine to Control the International Spread of COVID-19 Completed

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Full Report (English June 16, 2022)

Full Report (French June 16, 2022)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research through COVID-END
Knowledge user(s): Public Health Agency of Canada
Patient partner(s): Juanita Garcia, Maya Stern
Led by: Ahmed M. Abou-Setta, George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba


Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Healthcare Workers Caring for Patients with Severe or Critical COVID-19 on Supportive Ventilation Completed

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Full Report (January 26, 2022)

Funded by: World Health Organization
Knowledge user(s): World Health Organization
Patient partner(s): Elaine Zibrowski, Maya Stern
Led by: Dr. George Wells and Ms. Shannon E. Kelly, University of Ottawa Heart Institute


Noninvasive Ventilation Strategies for Patients with Severe or Critical COVID-19: A Rapid Evidence Review of Clinical Outcomes Completed

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Full Report (May 26, 2022)

Funded by: World Health Organization
Knowledge user(s): World Health Organization
Patient partner(s): Elaine Zibrowski, Maya Stern
Led by: Dr. George Wells and Ms. Shannon E. Kelly, University of Ottawa Heart Institute


Communication in Disasters to Support Families with Children with Medical Complexity and Special Healthcare Needs: A Rapid Scoping Review Completed

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Full Report (October 2021)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Knowledge user(s): British Columbia Children’s Hospital
and Canuck Place Children’s Hospice
Patient partner(s): Tayaba Khan, Michael Scott
Led by: Dr. Craig Mitton, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia


Effectiveness of Available COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Adolescents, Including Variants of Concern: A Living Review In progress

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Full Report (English |Spanish Update 10)

Lay Summary (English | French | Spanish)

Past versions

Funded by: Public Health Agency of Canada and Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Knowledge user(s):
Public Health Agency of Canada
Led by: Dr. Ivan Florez, University of Antioquia

Vaccine Effectiveness Over Time in Vaccinated Individuals: A Living Review In progress

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Lay Summary Update 1 (English, December 2, 2021)

Lay Summary Update 1 (French, December 2, 2021)

Report Update 1 (November 26, 2021)

Supplement Update 1 (November 26, 2021)

Lay Summary (English, October 8, 2021)

Lay Summary (French, October 8, 2021)

Infographic (October 8, 2021)

Full Report (October 8, 2021)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research through COVID-END
Knowledge user(s): National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), Public Health Agency of Canada
Patient partner(s): Cynthia Lisée, Emilie Rufray
Led by: Dr. Simon Bacon, Montreal Behavioral Medicine Center


Risk of Transmission of Respiratory Viruses during Aerosol-Generating Medical Procedures (AGMPs): A Systematic Review Update Completed

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Research Brief Update 2 (March 4, 2022)

Full Report Update 1 (April 8, 2020)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Knowledge user(s):
Alberta Health Services
Patient partner(s): JoAnne Mosel, Michael Scott
Led by: Dr. Fiona Clement, The Health Technology Assessment Unit, University of Calgary


Charting the ‘New Normal’ in Canadian Community Pharmacy Practice: A Scoping Review Completed

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Full Report (November 10, 2021)

Lay Summary (November 10, 2021)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research through SPOR Evidence Alliance
Knowledge user(s): Community Pharmacies
Patient partner(s): Sam Belbin
Led by: Dr. Kim Sears, Queen’s Collaboration for Healthcare Quality: A JBI Centre of Excellence, Queen’s University School of Nursing, Queen’s University


Impact of Rapid Diagnostic Testing on School Closures: Rapid Systematic Review Completed

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Full Report (November 22, 2021)

Research Brief (November 22, 2021)

Slide Deck (November 22, 2021)

Funded by: Health Canada
Knowledge user(s): Health Canada
Patient partner(s): The authors are grateful to two public members from BC who provided feedback on the draft final report and whose comments were incorporated into the final version.
Led by: Dr. Craig Mitton, Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia


Public Health Implications of SARS-CoV-2 VOC: Living Rapid Review Completed

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Rapid Review Update 3 (December 3, 2021)

Evidence Table Update 3 (December 3, 2021)

Research Brief Update 3 (December 3, 2021)

Jurisdictional Scan Update 2 (November 10, 2021)

Evidence Table Update 2 (October 22, 2021)

Research Brief Update 2 (October 22, 2021)

Rapid Review Update 2 (October 10, 2021)

Jurisdictional Scan Update 1 (October 1, 2021)

Rapid Review Update 1 (September 10, 2021)

Evidence Table (September 10, 2021)

Research Brief (September 10, 2021)

Jurisdictional Scan (August 20, 2021)

Rapid Review (July 29, 2021)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research through the CoVaRR-Net
Knowledge user(s): Public Health Agency of Canada
Patient partner(s): Trudy Flynn, Rebecca Mackay
Led by: Janet Curran, School of Nursing, Dalhousie University


Care Models for Long COVID: A Rapid Systematic Review Completed

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Research Brief Update 1 (December 4, 2021)

Report Update 1 (December 4, 2021)

Full Report (June 18, 2021)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research through COVID-END, CIHR Operating Grant: Emerging COVID-19 Research Gaps & Priorities
Knowledge user(s): Alberta Health Services
Patient partner(s): Anne Bhéreur
Led by: Dr. Simon Décary, University of Sherbrooke


Personal Measures to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Between Air Travelers: A Systematic Review Completed

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Full Report (January 5, 2021)

Funded by: World Health Organization and Canadian Institutes of Health Research through SPOR Evidence Alliance
Knowledge user(s): World Health Organization
Led by: Dr. Ahmed Abou-Setta, George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba


Aircraft Environmental Control Systems (ECS) for Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Transmission: A Systematic Review Completed

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Full Report (January 5, 2021)

Funded by: World Health Organization and Canadian Institutes of Health Research through SPOR Evidence Alliance
Knowledge user(s): World Health Organization
Led by: Dr. Ahmed Abou-Setta, George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba


Contact Tracing for Preventing the International Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from Infected Aircraft Passengers: A Systematic Review Completed

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Full Report (January 5, 2021)

Funded by: World Health Organization and Canadian Institutes of Health Research through SPOR Evidence Alliance
Knowledge user(s): World Health Organization
Led by: Dr. Ahmed Abou-Setta, George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba


Healthcare Provider Burnout: A Rapid Scoping Review Completed

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Lay Summary (English, October 18, 2021)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research through COVID-END
Knowledge user(s): Alberta Health Services
Patient partner(s): Janet Gunderson
Led by: Dr. Christina Godfrey, Queen’s University


Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Rapid Review Completed

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Lay Summary (English, November 24, 2021)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research through COVID-END
Knowledge user(s): Public Health Agency of Canada
Patient partner(s): Juanita Garcia, Sandra Moroz
Led by: Dr. Iván D. Flórez , University of Antioquia


Rapid Diagnostic Testing for COVID-19 in a Fully Vaccinated Population: A Rapid Systematic Review Completed

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Report Update 1 (November 8, 2021)

Research Brief Update 1 (November 8, 2021)

Full Report (June 18, 2021)

Research Brief (June 18, 2021)

Slide Deck (June 18, 2021)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research through COVID-END
Knowledge user(s): Health Canada
Patient partner(s): The authors are grateful to two public members from BC who provided feedback on the draft final report and whose comments were incorporated into the final version.
Led by: Dr. Craig Mitton, Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia


Transmissibility of COVID-19 Among Vaccinated Individuals: Targeted Literature Search Completed

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Lay Summary Update 2 (November 1, 2021)

Report Update 2 (September 24, 2021)

Lay Summary Update 1 (June 15, 2021)

Report Update 1 (May 27, 2021)

Full Report (March 12, 2021)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research through COVID-END
Knowledge user(s): Alberta Health Services
Patient partner(s): Cathy Telfer, JoAnne Mosel
Led by: Dr. Fiona Clement, The Health Technology Assessment Unit, University of Calgary


Online Learning for Children and Youth with Brain-based Disabilities: A Rapid Overview of Reviews Completed

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Full Report (September 30, 2021)

Research Brief (September 30, 2021)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research through the SPOR Evidence Alliance and the CHILD-BRIGHT Network
Knowledge user(s): CHILD-BRIGHT Network
Patient partner(s): Carrie Costello, Rachel Martens, Brenda Agnew from the CHILD-BRIGHT Network
Content Experts: Pierre Zwiegers, Dan Goldowitz from the CHILD-BRIGHT Network
Led by: Annie LeBlanc, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University


Pregnancy Related Risks Associated with COVID-19: A Rapid Review Completed

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Full Report (August 20, 2021)

Evidence Tables (August 20, 2021)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research through COVID-END
Knowledge user(s):
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
Led by: Dr. Ahmed Abou-Setta, Knowledge Synthesis Platform, George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba


What is the efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of vaccines in the immunocompromised and those on dialysis? Completed

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Full Report (Dosage) (April 13, 2022)

Full Report (Pediatric) (January 3, 2022)

Full Report (Dialysis) (August 25, 2021)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research through COVID-END
Knowledge user(s):
National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI)
Led by: Paul Moayyedi, McMaster University


Rapid Review: What is the Effectiveness, Immunogenicity and Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines in Persons Who Have Had a Prior, Confirmed COVID-19 Infection? Completed

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Full Report (October 15, 2021)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research through COVID-END
Knowledge user(s): National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI)
Patient partner(s): Caron Leid, Kathy Kastner
Led by: Dr. Maureen Dobbins, The National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools, McMaster University


Surveillance of COVID-19 in Vaccinated Population: A Rapid Review and Environmental Scan Completed

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Full Report (June 25, 2021)

Rapid Review Brief (June 25, 2021)

Environmental Scan Brief (June 25, 2021)

Rapid Review Slide Deck (June 25, 2021)

Environmental Scan Slide Deck (June 25, 2021)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research through COVID-END
Knowledge user(s): Health Canada
Patient partner(s): JoAnne Mosel
Led by: Dr. Fiona Clement, The Health Technology Assessment Unit, University of Calgary


Public Health and Health Systems Impacts of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern: A Rapid Scoping Review and Jurisdictional Scan Completed

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research through COVID-END
Knowledge user(s):
Alberta Health Services and Public Health Agency of Canada
Led by: Dr. Janet Curran, School of Nursing, Dalhousie University


Transmission Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern: A Rapid Scoping Review Completed


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Full Report (March 17, 2021)

Research Brief (March 17, 2021)

Lay Summary (English | French)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research through COVID-END
Knowledge user(s):
Alberta Health Services and Public Health Agency of Canada
Led by: Dr. Janet Curran, School of Nursing, Dalhousie University


At-home COVID-19 Testing: A Rapid Scoping Review Completed

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Full Report (January 29, 2021)

Research Brief (January 29, 2021)

Funded by: Health Canada
Knowledge user(s):
Health Canada and Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Led by: Dr. Meaghan Sim, Nova Scotia Health – Research, Innovation & Discovery


Barriers to COVID-19 Testing and Testing Hesitancy: A Rapid Scoping Review Completed

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Full Report (January 8, 2021)

Research Brief (January 8, 2021)

Funded by: Health Canada
Knowledge user(s):
Health Canada and Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Led by: Dr. Meaghan Sim, Nova Scotia Health – Research, Innovation & Discovery


The Implementation of Rapid Point-of-Care Testing in Non-traditional Settings: A Rapid Review Completed

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Full Report (December 17, 2020)

Research Brief (December 17, 2020)

Funded by: Health Canada
Knowledge user(s):
Health Canada and Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Led by: Dr. Meaghan Sim, Nova Scotia Health – Research, Innovation & Discovery


Preventing the Transmission of COVID-19 in Older Adults Aged 60 Years and Above Living in Long-Term Care: A Rapid Review Update Completed

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Full Report (October 30, 2020)

Funded by: World Health Organization and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Knowledge user(s):
World Health Organization
Led by: Dr. Fiona Clement, The Health Technology Assessment Unit, University of Calgary

Related reports and publications:
  1. Rios P, Radhakrishnan A, Williams C, Ramkissoon N, Pham B, Cormack GV, Grossman MR, Muller MP, Straus SE, Tricco AC. Preventing the transmission of COVID-19 and other coronaviruses in older adults aged 60 years and above living in long-term care: a rapid review. Syst Rev. 2020 Sep 25;9(1):218. doi: 10.1186/s13643-020-01486-4. PMID: 32977848.
  2. Rios P, Radhakrishnan A, Thomas SM, Darvesh N, Straus SE, Tricco AC. Preventing respiratory illness in older adults aged 60 years and above living in long-term care: A rapid overview of reviews. medRxiv 2020 Mar 19; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.19.20039081.
  3. Rios P, Radhakrishnan A, Thomas SM, Darvesh N, Straus SE, Tricco AC. Guidelines for preventing respiratory illness in older adults aged 60 years and above living in long-term care: A rapid review of clinical practice guidelines. medRxiv 2020 Mar 19; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.19.20039180.

Effective Models of Provider Care in Long-Term Care Homes: A Rapid Scoping Review Completed

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Full Report (October 6, 2020)

Research Protocol (June 2020)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Knowledge user(s): Royal Society of Canada
Led by: Dr. Brian Hutton, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute


Mitigating the Socioeconomic Impact of Women’s, Children’s and Adolescent’s Health during Pandemics and Epidemics In progress

View Findings


Coming soon.

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research and World Health Organization
Knowledge user(s): World Health Organization
Led by: Dr. Fiona Clement, The Health Technology Assessment Unit, University of Calgary


Digital Health Interventions for the Prevention, Detection and Management of Mental Health Problems in People with Chronic Diseases: A Rapid Overview of Reviews Completed

View Findings


Lay Summary (January 12, 2021)

Final Report (November 23, 2020)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Knowledge user(s): Cliniques Médicales ProActive
Led by: Dr. Marie-Pierre Gagnon and Dr. Annie LeBlanc, Centre de recherche sur les soins et les services de première ligne de l’Université Laval (CERSSPL-UL)


Testing for Asymptomatic COVID-19: A Rapid Systematic Review and Jurisdictional/Healthcare Organizational Scan Completed

View Findings


Full Report (June 2, 2020)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Knowledge user(s):
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Led by: Dr. Ahmed M. Abou-Setta, George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba


Rapid and Point-of-Care Diagnostic Test for SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19): A Rapid Summary Completed

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Full Report (June 3, 2020)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Knowledge user(s):
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Led by: Dr. Shannon E. Kelly and Dr. George A. Wells, Cardiovascular Research Methods Centre, University of Ottawa Heart Institute


Risk of Acquiring COVID-19 Associated with Singing in a Choir: A Quick Response Report Completed

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Full Report (June 3, 2020)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Knowledge user(s):
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Led by: Dr. Stephen Bornstein, Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Applied Health Research, Memorial University of Newfoundland


Preventing the Transmission of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Older Adults Aged 60 Years and Above Living in Long-Term Care: A Rapid Review Completed

View Findings


Research Brief

Funded by: Canadian Frailty Network
Knowledge user(s):
Canadian Frailty Network
Led by: Dr. Andrea Tricco, Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto


COVID-19 in Children with Brain-Based Developmental Disabilities: A Rapid Review Completed

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Infographic (May19, 2020)

Full Report (May 6, 2020)

Funded by: Canadian Institutes of Health Research and CHILD-BRIGHT Network
Knowledge user(s): CHILD-BRIGHT Network
Patient partner(s): Carrie Costello, Donna Thomson, and Lena Faust from the CHILD-BRIGHT Network
Led by: Dr. Annie LeBlanc, Centre de recherche sur les soins et les services de première ligne de l’Université Laval (CERSSPL-UL)


Guidelines for Preventing Respiratory Illness in Older Adults Aged 60 Years and Above Living in Long-Term Care: A Rapid Review of Clinical Practice Guidelines Completed

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Full Report (March 27, 2020)

Funded by: World Health Organization
Knowledge user(s):
Infection Prevention & Control, Health Emergencies Programme, World Health Organization
Led by: Dr. Andrea Tricco, Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto


Preventing Respiratory Illness in Older Adults Aged 60 Years and Above Living in Long-Term Care: A Rapid Overview of Reviews Completed

View Findings


Full Report (March 27, 2020)

Funded by: World Health Organization
Knowledge user(s):
Infection Prevention & Control, Health Emergencies Programme, World Health Organization
Led by: Dr. Andrea Tricco, Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto