Written Question · S6W-02486 · Session 6
Whether it will provide COVID-19 antibody tests for people who are immunosuppressed, particularly those who are shielding.
The question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide COVID-19 antibody tests for people who are immunosuppressed, particularly those who are shielding.
The answer
The Scottish Government is not currently introducing on-demand antibody testing.
Immune responses are more complex than the measure of an antibody test. The Chief Medical Officer's advice urges caution around the interpretation of antibody test results, and has advised Health Boards in Scotland to focus on using antibody tests to improve our understanding of COVID-19, and in the clinical management of patients, where appropriate.
Clinicians have the discretion to request an antibody test for an individual if they determine the result will be of benefit to the clinical management of a patient.
We know the vaccine offers significant protection against the virus, and as further research of the immune response to COVID-19 vaccinations in patients with immunosuppressed conditions continues, we would urge those individuals to continue to be cautious to help keep themselves safe.
Research is underway which will help us better understand the immune response to COVID-19, and vaccine efficacy in immunosuppressed groups, and which will be instrumental in helping inform how best to protect immunocompromised individuals from COVID-19 infection in the future.
Our approach to antibody testing is being kept under review.
Immune responses are more complex than the measure of an antibody test. The Chief Medical Officer's advice urges caution around the interpretation of antibody test results, and has advised Health Boards in Scotland to focus on using antibody tests to improve our understanding of COVID-19, and in the clinical management of patients, where appropriate.
Clinicians have the discretion to request an antibody test for an individual if they determine the result will be of benefit to the clinical management of a patient.
We know the vaccine offers significant protection against the virus, and as further research of the immune response to COVID-19 vaccinations in patients with immunosuppressed conditions continues, we would urge those individuals to continue to be cautious to help keep themselves safe.
Research is underway which will help us better understand the immune response to COVID-19, and vaccine efficacy in immunosuppressed groups, and which will be instrumental in helping inform how best to protect immunocompromised individuals from COVID-19 infection in the future.
Our approach to antibody testing is being kept under review.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S6W-02486 by reference.