NEW TEST TO FIGHT DELTA

Bid to find vital data on antibodies

THOUSANDS of people will be offered free antibody tests in a bid to understand how many people catch Covid-19 twice, or after being vaccinated.

With the Delta variant behind almost all new UK infections, the Government will today launch the first nationwide antibody surveillance programme.

Patients will be screened for antibodies immediately after testing positive.

Scientists hope to obtain “vital” data on people who catch the virus, despite already having antibodies, and further insight into the effectiveness of vaccines against different variants.

Experts fear the more infectious Delta variant could “break through” protection, even in those double-vaccinated.

Some 87% of people aged 16 and over have had their first vaccine dose, while 76% have had their second. One expert warned the UK must not take its “eye off the ball” with vaccinations.

Dr Chris Smith, consultant virologist at Cambridge University, said: “We all agree that [the pandemic] is not over until it is over in every corner of the world, because otherwise it will just come roaring back.

“It would be very easy to unstitch all of the good work we’ve done so far if it turns out with time we do lose immunity because the vaccines wane in their effectiveness.” Under the scheme, up to 8,000 people who test positive will be sent two finger prick antibody tests to take at home and return for analysis.

The first must be taken soon after the positive result, and the second 28 days later, to measure antibodies generated from infection. The Department of Health said it will be the first time antibody tests have been made freely available to the public and could give further insight into the effectiveness of jabs on new variants.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Our new national antibody testing will be quick and easy to take part in. By doing so you’ll help to strengthen our understanding of Covid-19 as we cautiously return to a more normal life.”

UK Health Security Agency chief executive Dr Jenny Harries said: “We are rolling out antibody testing across the UK to gain vital data into the impact of our vaccination programme.”