WIP Seminar: Optimal timing and dosing strategies for administering the seasonal influenza vaccine to HIV-positive patients

Seminar Event

Wednesday, February 26, 2014, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Location: Hurlburt Auditorium, 2nd Floor St. Paul’s Hospital

Greg Werker, MEng, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow, CHÉOS

Abstract: One of the most effective public health strategies for protection against influenza-like illness is vaccination. For healthy individuals, a single dose of the seasonal influenza vaccine around the start of flu season offers adequate immonogenicity. However, HIV-positive patients, when vaccinated, tend to maintain protection for a shorter period of time. The policy that works for the general population is not optimal for HIV-positive patients.

I will present our findings published in Vaccine showing that the optimal time to administer a single dose of the seasonal influenza vaccine to HIV-positive patients in the US is mid-November to early December. I will then discuss our ongoing research into whether there are different optimal strategies for subpopulations within the HIV-positive population that consider additional dosing strategies as well as different timing strategies.

Greg Werker is a postdoctoral fellow at CHÉOS and has a PhD in Management Science from the Sauder School of Business at UBC. His research involves applying mathematical models within health care, with applications that include public health systems for people with addictions and concurrent disorders and e-health initiatives that provide capacity beyond traditional models. In his dissertation he explored strategic planning under uncertainty in two applications: workforce planning at the BC Cancer Agency and resource planning in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Greg’s bachelor’s and master’s are both in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from Cornell University, and he has worked as a consultant in various manufacturing sectors including food and beverages, semiconductor, and petrochemicals.

This talk is open and will include a light lunch.

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BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

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WIP Seminar: Optimal timing and dosing strategies for administering the seasonal influenza vaccine to HIV-positive patients

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