Guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19): antibody testing

Information about the government’s coronavirus antibody testing programme. Antibody tests are to check whether a person has had the virus.

Published 22 May 2020
Last updated 14 January 2021 — see all updates
From:
Department of Health and Social Care
Applies to:
Wales, England, and Northern Ireland

Documents

Coronavirus (COVID-19): antibody testing

HTML

Details

This guidance tells you about the government’s antibody testing programme for coronavirus. It sets out:

  • what antibody testing is
  • what an antibody test will tell you
  • who is eligible for testing
Published 22 May 2020
Last updated 14 January 2021 + show all updates

  1. Updated to remove reference to antibody tests from NHS England test sites.

  2. Updated with information on the coronavirs (COVID-19) vaccine and antibody testing.

  3. Updated to reflect that the guidance now applies in Northern Ireland.

  4. Updated with new information on antibody testing eligibility and how to get a test.

  5. Removed link to antibody testing service and added that DHSC is working directly with organisations in the adult social care sector in order to offer tests.

  6. Updated to reflect the launch of the new antibody testing service, which is currently restricted to care home workers in England and Wales.

  7. First published.

Brexit

Check how the new Brexit rules affect you

Related content