Role of SARS-CoV-2 Serology Testing: Understanding Where We Are Before and After Vaccination
Kerstin Wagner
Making Technology and AI Work for People | Clinical Diagnostics Executive | Innovating in AI-Powered Marketing, Sales, and Robotics
How many antibodies do you need to be considered immune to COVID-19? And how long do they last? These are critically important questions, and SARS-CoV-2 serology (also called antibody) testing can help answer them.
At Siemens Healthineers, we advocate using accessible, automated, high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 serology testing to help confirm vaccine efficacy and promote public health—all to enable an effective vaccination strategy. As the world struggles to contain COVID-19, serology testing can help guide vaccination campaign efforts. Siemens Healthineers just published a position paper featuring input from experts in infectious disease, immunology, and vaccine development that underscores the role of antibody testing within a COVID-19 vaccination program.
The concept of antibody testing is not new—and has long been used in clinical practice for a variety of diagnostic testing, including other infectious diseases, such as hepatitis B. Serology testing in general can inform vaccination use and the status of vaccine response. Specifically, blood testing to measure SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies can help in three important ways—identifying a threshold for immunity against the virus; assessing if the individual did, indeed, have a successful vaccine response; and guiding booster/revaccination efforts by tracking antibody levels after immunization.
As COVID-19 and the global response continue to evolve, assessing vaccine effectiveness and identifying vulnerable populations will be critical—and serology testing can play a pivotal role. Fortunately, these tests are widely available, and offer high specificity (>99.5%) and fast turnaround. You can learn more here about our position on how serology testing can promote public health in the fight against COVID-19: https://bit.ly/3wZFeUH.
Director, Global Solutions Marketing, at Siemens Healthineers Lab Diagnostics
3yThis week, my mom, sister and I had antibody tests. We were all vaccinated in Jan/Feb, my sister and I on the same day. I have been undergoing R-CHOP chemotherapy for B cell lymphoma - 2 cycles completed 4 to go. No surprise my healthy sister had the highest titre out of the 3 of us but surprisingly I still have antibodies. However the biggest concern is my Mom - her level was just above the cutoff for "positive". Her doctor immediately recommended the booster which she received the same day. The semi-quant antibody testing gave us all great insight into what it means to be vaccinated and how you cannot just take for granted that all vaccinated people have the same level of protection. Antibody testing should be part of the annual checkup!
Sr. Human Resources Leader/ Strategic HR Business Partner
3yI coincidentally I got a related message from my dad today: He got both vaccine shots in June, shortly after being taken off immune suppressants related to his recent recovery from acute leukemia (for a 2nd time!). While other later given vaccines have worked, a COVID antibody test conducted this week revealed that he hasn’t built any antibodies against COVID at all. He’ll soon be vaccinated again and better protected against COVID, not just receiving booster, but a full redo – thanks to this serology test! It gives me goose bumps that I have the privilege to personally know many of the leaders and teams that research, develop, manufacture, install, service, market and sell our solutions. Thank you, #Healthineers colleagues! I continue to be inspired by and proud of the impact our company makes - on healthcare and lives, even the lives of our loved ones.
Driving growth through outcome-focused advanced services and servitization strategies | Developing customer-centric value added services and global consulting
3yIt makes me proud to be part of a company that continues to contribute towards important health topics like this.
Laborleiter bei Siemens Healthineers
3yIt is very helpful to read clear facts about COVID 19. Thank you!