Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
UK SET FOR MASS ANTIBODY TESTING
Free kit aims to help scientists find why jabbed are still catching virus
THOUSANDS of people will be offered free antibody tests in a bid to understand why people can catch Covid-19 twice, or after being jabbed.
The Government today launches the first nationwide antibody surveillance programme, under which patients will be screened for antibodies immediately after testing positive for the virus. It is hoped the plan will help scientists obtain “vital” data about the people who catch the virus, despite already having antibodies from being vaccinated or a previous bout of Covid. Some 87% of people aged 16 and over have had their first dose of the vaccine, while 76% have had a second. It comes as an expert warned the UK must not take its “eye off the ball” when it comes to Covid-19. Dr
Chris Smith, consultant virologist and lecturer at Cambridge University, said: “We all agree the pandemic is not over until it is over in every corner of the world, 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.” In the
last week, 688 people died within 28 days of a positive result – a 10% increase on the previous week.
Under the new scheme, up to 8,000 people who test positive will be sent two fingerprick antibody tests to complete at home and send back for analysis.
The first must be taken as soon as possible after the positive result for Covid-19 is recorded.
The second must be done 28 days later, to measure the antibodies
generated through infection. The Department of Health and Social Care said it will be the first time antibody tests have been made freely available and could give further insight into the effectiveness of jabs on new variants.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid yesterday said: “Our new national antibody testing will be quick and easy to take part in.
“You’ll be helping strengthen our understanding of Covid-19 as we cautiously return to a more normal life.
“I’m proud to see all parts of the UK uniting around this initiative.”
UK Health Security Agency chief executive Dr Jenny Harries said: “We are rolling out antibody testing to gain vital data into the impact of our vaccination programme and on immune responses to different variants of Covid-19.
“This has been made possible thanks to the incredible British public who continue to come forward for testing when they develop symptoms and the millions who have had their jabs.”