A UK-wide antibody testing programme is to be launched for people who have tested positive for coronavirus, the Government has announced.
The programme, which will offer tests to thousands of adults per day, aims to improve understanding and gain “vital” data about antibody protection following Covid infection and vaccination.
From Tuesday, anyone over 18 from any of the four UK nations can opt into the programme when receiving a PCR test.
Of those who test positive for coronavirus, up to 8,000 will be sent two-finger prick antibody tests to complete at home and send back for analysis.
The first must be taken as soon as possible after the positive result, and the second must be taken 28 days later.
The UK Health Security Agency, which is running the programme, will work alongside NHS test and trace services in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and use the results to monitor levels of antibodies in positive cases across the UK.
