Antibody Testing Is Not Recommended to Assess Immunity After COVID-19 Vaccination

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today it is reminding the public and health care providers that results from currently authorized SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests should not be used to evaluate a person’s level of immunity or protection from COVID-19 at any time, and especially after the person received a COVID-19 vaccination.

While a positive antibody test result can be used to help identify people who may have had prior SARS-CoV-2 infections, more research is needed in people who have received a COVID-19 vaccination.

Currently authorized SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests have not been evaluated to assess the level of protection provided by an immune response to COVID-19 vaccination. If antibody test results are interpreted incorrectly, there is a potential risk that people may take fewer precautions against SARS-CoV-2 exposure.

The FDA says 'Taking fewer steps to protect against SARS-CoV-2 can increase their risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and may result in the increased spread of the SARS-CoV-2 beta coronavirus.'