MC Diagnostics have provided this FAQs page to assist customers in understanding why a Covid Antibody Status Test is very important.


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Introduction


Has your vaccine dose worked? Have you been exposed to coronavirus previously, even without symptoms?


Find out if you have developed antibodies that may produce a response to a future COVID-19 infection, with our coronavirus antibody testing service.


Current blood tests do not indicate whether your covid antibodies have come from a vaccination or an infection, the MC Diagnostics test does.


We will send you a test kit to collect a finger-prick blood sample at home or work. Return the sample in the pre-paid envelope to the MC Diagnostics lab for processing. Once the lab has received your sample, you will usually have your result within 2-3 working days.



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FAQs

  • What is a Covid antibody?
    • An antibody is a protein that the body produces to help fight infection. The aim of the covid vaccine is to stimulate your body to make antibodies to help fight a future infection. If you have had COVID-19, your body might have also produced specific antibodies to fight off the virus.
  • Who should have the COVID-19 antibody test?

    • People who have had at least one dose of the vaccine and want to see if they have developed antibodies.

    • People wanting to know if they have had COVID-19 or been exposed to the virus and recovered. 

    • The kit is designed for use by persons aged 18 and over.

    • This is a finger prick blood test -people with bleeding disorders should take advice from their GP before proceeding.


  • When should the test be done?

    • After Vaccine – at least 14 days from 1st doses (ideally 21 days)

    • Symptoms of Covid-19 – at least 14 days from onset (ideally 21 days)

    • Possibly exposed but had no symptoms (asymptomatic) - then 14 days (at the earliest) to 21 days after exposure.


    NOTE: Testing too early may result in a false negative test (negative result but you have been exposed and made antibodies to Covid).


  • How do I collect a blood sample?

    The kit comes with full easy to follow instructions, but we advise you watch this short Video Link on the blood taking process.


    Put the sample in the pre-paid envelope provided and drop into any Royal Mail Post box.  


  • How will I get my results?

    Once the lab receives the sample you will usually receive your results within 2-3 working days by email.

  • What does a positive result mean?

    A positive result means that there were COVID-19 antibodies in your blood sample. This means:

     

    • you have been either received the vaccine or been exposed to COVID-19 in the past.

    • Doesn’t mean you are immune.

    • Doesn’t mean you can’t spread the virus to other people.


  • If I have a positive result for antibodies, am I immune from COVID -19?

    No, unfortunately testing positive for antibodies cannot tell you if you have immunity to the virus. 


    The test simply confirms you have previously been exposed to the vaccine or virus. It is likely that coronavirus antibodies do produce temporary immunity. However, it is not yet known how long that immunity may last as virus strains can also mutate. 


    It is recommended you continue to follow NHS guidelines on the coronavirus.

  • What does a negative result mean?

    Testing negative for COVID-19 antibodies means that there were no antibodies in your blood sample.

     

    • This means you most likely haven’t had COVID-19

    • If you have receive a negative test result having taken the test more than 3 weeks after vaccination, you should report the finding to your GP.


  • Is the covid-19 antibody test accurate?

    The test is CE-marked which means they conform to European standards for medical testing. The result has a specificity of 99.6% and sensitivity of 96%. 


    This means that:


    a. If the result is positive, you have COVID-19 antibodies.     

    b. Out of 100 people with COVID-19 antibodies, 96 will test positive but 4 will test negative (a false negative). False negatives can be due to low levels of antibodies or if the sample was not taken 14 days after onset of symptoms.  



*  Please note:  International travel for Holidays or Business is subject to the UK Government permitting travel to specified countries. MC Diagnostics do not have any control over the current level of restrictions set by the Foreign Office, and all customers should check the latest advice on the UK Government website https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice for the latest information on international travel.

**  Please note:  The UK Government has indicated that all National Restrictions relating to lockdown in England will end on the 21st June. Devolved Administrations are likely to be broadly similar in removing their restrictions for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. However, customers should be aware that the pandemic has created spontaneous and fast moving circumstances, which can quickly change the levels of restrictions across the UK. MC Diagnostics can provide no guarantee that social mobility will be back to normal from June 21st 2021.

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