Booster jabs drive up virus antibody figures
Covid-19 antibody levels among the oldest age groups have jumped sharply in recent months, following the roll-out of spring booster jabs, new figures suggest.
Some 94.3% of people aged 80 and over in England were likely to have antibodies at the start of July, up from 65.8% at the end of March, according to Office of National Statistics (ONS) data.
Among 75 to 79-year-olds, the proportion stands at 93.1% – up from 62.8%.
The presence of coronavirus antibodies suggests someone has had the infection in the past or has been vaccinated.
The ONS say the new figures are likely to reflect the impact of the spring booster campaign, which was launched in March, offering a fresh dose of vaccine to everyone aged 75 and over.
Another booster campaign will begin this autumn, in order to increase protection ahead of possible further waves of the virus – but this time the jab will be offered to everyone over the age of 50.
Other groups eligible for the autumn jab will include frontline health and social care workers and those aged five to 49 in a clinical risk group, including pregnant women.
Some 74.9% of all adults were likely to have Covid-19 antibodies at the start of July, the ONS said.
This is down slightly from 78.8% in March, but up from 67.0% at the beginning of the year.
It takes between two and three weeks after infection – or vaccination – for the human body to make enough antibodies to fight coronavirus.
Levels are expected to decrease over time irrespective of vaccination or natural infection, especially when exposure to the virus is reduced.