The Reproductive Infectious Diseases Program is a network of health professionals, researchers and knowledge users dedicated to advancing reproductive infectious diseases care and research internationally. Through local, national and global research collaborations, the team works to address emergent knowledge gaps and provide evidence-based guidance for the prevention, treatment, and care of reproductive infectious diseases. An overview of the program and the research we do can be found here. 

Latest Updates from the RID Program:

...

Check Out Our New Syphilis Resources!

The UBC Reproductive Infectious Diseases Program Team has recently launched a new set of resources to address the rising rates of syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis. The team would like to acknowledge the incredible contributions of collaborators from the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres and Ahasiw Creative. To access the resources click the links below!

Supporting a Safe and Healthy Pregnancy Syphilis Resource

Maternal and Congenital Syphilis Resource List

Overview of Syphilis in Pregnancy in British Columbia – Updated March,2025

Looking for more resources? Contact us at rid.program@ubc.ca and we will be happy to print and ship you what you need!

...

Registration for the 2025 FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics is Now Open!

The 25th edition of the World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics hosted by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) is being held from October 5-9th 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa and early bird registration is now open!

The FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics routinely draws over 8,000 delegates from around the world in various sessions over the course of the four day conference, with activities including keynote speaker presentations, scientific seminars, interactive workshops, and hands-on simulation labs.

This year’s congress is focusing on the theme of “Advancing Women’s Health: A Journey of Unity and Freedom”, aiming to highlight a diverse and insightful array of research that is currently being conducted or been completed recently in the field of gynecology and obstetrics.

Click here to get more information on the conference, and to register click here!

Highlighted Research

NOVA-HIV

A Study of Reduced Dosing of the Nonavalent HPV Vaccine in Women Living with HIV

The goal of this study is to explore reduced dosing of the nonavalent HPV vaccine in women living with HIV. This multi-site phase IV clinical trial will carry on from our previous HPV in HIV studies. Recruitment began in late 2023 and is currently ongoing.

REACT-Syph

Towards the Eradication of Congenital Syphilis in Canada (REACT-Syph): Canadian Maternal and Congenital Syphilis Surveillance

In order to combat the rising rates of syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis and create evidence-based prevention strategies, we need a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding infections and why diagnosis and treatment in pregnant women is not happening consistently across the country. As part of this project, we are creating a pan-Canadian syphilis in pregnancy surveillance program that includes cases from 2013-present. This surveillance system will build on established infrastructure and relationships to characterize cases of antenatal syphilis, including cases that result in congenital syphilis, identify barriers to care and gaps in current prevention strategies, and inform future interventions.

RECOVERED: Vaccine Registry for 2024 Pregnancies

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine and Monoclonal Antibody Treatment in Canadian Pregnant Individuals and their Infants (RECOVERED): An Evaluation of Acceptability, Safety, and Efficacy

The RECOVERED Project is a Canada-wide project being conducted by the UBC Reproductive Infectious Diseases Program and is investigating Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccines in pregnancy. The RECOVERED project aims to broaden our understanding of vaccine attitudes, pregnancy outcomes, and infant outcomes related to maternal vaccination and infant monoclonal antibody treatment for RSV.