Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of testing people with a suppressed or no immune system for antibodies after they have been vaccinated against covid-19.

Virus Watch data, supported by NHS Test and Trace, provides information regarding patients’ antibodies and this includes immunocompromised patients as part of their cohort. The data suggests some protection against COVID-19, but is only one measure and does not look at cellular immunity which may be more important in terms of long-term immunity.

Each antibody test will vary in its sensitivity and specificity and there is currently no agreed level of antibody which indicates someone is immune. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation will continue to review evidence on the use of vaccines in those with immunosuppression and will update its advice as necessary.