For the first time, the United Kingdom has offered free testing for coronavirus antibodies to the general public, according to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) for Sky News.
The mass testing will take place as part of a program that the government launched this weekend.
“I’m proud to see all parts of the UK uniting around this new initiative and working together to arm ourselves with even more valuable insights into how COVID-19 vaccines are protecting people up and down the UK,” said Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
According to the DHSC, the program will help reveal the impact of vaccination on new variants and how patients’ immunity responds to different virus variants.
Every adult who receives a positive PCR result can opt for the antibody testing programme.
The first antibody test must be performed as soon as possible after a positive result so that the body does not have time to develop antibodies.
The second test should be taken 28 days afterwards.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), runes the programme.
“This innovative programme is only possible thanks to the thousands of people who continue to help with studies on vaccine and treatment effectiveness each week,” said UKHSA’s chief executive Dr Jenny Harries.
“The best way to protect yourself and those around you is by getting vaccinated. I encourage anyone who has not yet come forward to book their first and second jabs,” she added.
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