Antibody testing in the NHS

[Inclement]

I was interested to read this morning that the NHS in the UK are going to offer a proportion of patients who have tested positive with a PCR test the option of a fingerprick antibody test to ascertain immunity levels in the population. I would have thought maybe offering these to those who are immuno-compromised might also have been helpful, so that those of us who have a good immunity can be somewhat reassured and those with low immunity can perhaps be prioritised for any booster jabs if eventually offered. Although I do wonder whether a third vaccination dose will have much effect if the first two haven't, but I guess it's a cumulative effect?

[azaelea]

I agree, we immunosuppressed should be offered the fingertip test as it would be very helpful . I had an antibody test but wasn’t notified of the outcome until I asked at Haematology last Monday by phone and was told, “No antibodies” that was all! I asked for copy of report to be sent to me but still waiting. Fran

[Maisie10]

I thought exactly the same. It would make sense to me and would be very helpful. Take care x

[lynnieb]

I asked for an antibodies test from my GP, but was refused

[MWxxxx]

I think the antibody test being offered just checks if you have antibodies after catching covid, not if you have antibodies from the vaccine. It would still be useful to know if immunosuppressed people carry antibodies after testing positive, but I would also like to see a different test being offered to see if the vaccine is working. The only test on the NHS seems to be to test antibodies after catching covid or to identify if you have had covid in the past.

[CraftySpider]

I thought this too…although it wouldn’t give a complete picture of immunity, it would be nice to know if we had made any antibodies.