VIDO resumes high-containment research following successful federal recertification

The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) has successfully completed federal recertification requirements and has resumed high-containment operations. At the same time, VIDO completed key facility upgrades that supported preliminary certification elements of its future containment level 4 spaces. Together, these milestones reinforce VIDO's role as one of Canada’s national research facilities and one of six facilities designated by the Government of Canada as a Major Research Facility and a key part of the country’s pandemic preparedness and health security infrastructure.

This spring, research in VIDO’s containment level 3 laboratories was temporarily paused as part of a federal recertification process conducted once every 10 years as outlined in the Canadian Biosafety Standard. During the shutdown, the facility underwent extensive testing to confirm that its critical building, containment and safety systems continue to meet Canada’s strict requirements for high-containment research. Nearly one-third of VIDO staff supported the recertification process to demonstrate the facility’s operating capacity.

Inspectors from both the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) worked closely with the VIDO team throughout the process.

“This was a significant undertaking that involved nearly every part of our organization,” said Dr. Volker Gerdts, VIDO director and CEO. “The successful outcome reflects the dedication of our staff. We are grateful to everyone who helped complete this work safely, thoroughly and efficiently, allowing us to return to our important work of protecting people and animals from infectious diseases.”

With high-containment operations restored, VIDO can continue advancing the research, development and manufacturing of medical countermeasures, including vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for infectious diseases affecting people and animals.  

Maintaining this national science capacity requires stable, long-term operational support. The proposed Major Research Facility program would help VIDO sustain the specialized infrastructure, skilled personnel and readiness needed to respond to emerging infectious disease threats, ensuring Canada has critical research capacity in place before the next human or animal health emergency begins.