England's vaccination efforts look as if they are starting to make an impact, with the over-80s now being the most likely to test positive for antibodies.
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday (February 16) suggests that England's vaccination programme is working on providing immunity.
People have antibodies in their blood if they have either recently had an infection or if they have had a vaccine.
Antibodies are one of the body's key defences against infection.
The data appears to show those aged 80 and over are now testing positive for Covid antibodies, with the group now boasting 40.9% possessing antibodies.
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Two weeks ago the figure for antibodies in those aged 80 and over was 25.7%.
It takes two to three weeks to build immunity following the first vaccination dose.
Experts said the 15.2% increase reflects rising vaccination rates.
The ONS estimates that two in five people over the age of 80 in England would have tested positive for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 - the virus that causes Covid - on a blood test in the 28 days up to February 1, 2021.
Compared to Wales, where 12.7% of over-80s are testing positive for antibodies, and Scotland, where the figure is 11.6%, England has a significantly higher percentage.
The ONS said: "The percentage of people testing positive for antibodies in the oldest age groups varies considerably between nations.
"This could be explained by the varying approaches to vaccine distribution in different nations."
The next highest group testing positive for antibodies in England is 16 to 24. This group is the highest for Wales and Scotland, which further suggests England's vaccination approach is having an impact on Covid figures.
The North West also has a higher number of people testing positive for antibodies than the national average, behind only London.
