Coronavirus antibody test
Coronavirus (COVID-19) antibody test
Find out if you've had coronavirus (COVID-19), quickly and simply.
Our antibody test is approved by Public Health England and carried out by an expert clinician in one of our COVID-secure clinics.
Call us today to book a test for just £65
How it works
Call us to book
Appointments for COVID-19 antibody tests are available at 30 Nuffield Health clinics across the UK.
Unfortunately, we're unable to offer COVID-19 antibody tests in Scotland at the moment.
Attend your appointment
A phlebotomist will take a sample of your blood, which will be sent to one of our laboratories for analysis. This involves looking for antibodies, which your body produces in response to a virus.
Get your results by email
Your results will be available within 72 hours. If you do test positive, showing that you’ve previously had COVID-19, this will be shared with Public Health England. If you don’t want your results to be shared, you shouldn’t have the test.
Our video explains what happens when we take your blood for your COVID-19 antibody test
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What does the antibody test check for?
Our antibody testing detects if you have either previously had or been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, or that you have had a COVID-19 vaccine, and that your immune system developed antibodies in response to it. It doesn’t tell you whether you currently have COVID-19.
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Can I have an antibody test to see if I have antibodies after having the COVID-19 vaccine?
Nuffield Health use the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Antibody assay which is the antibody that is generated by the COVID-19 vaccines. The presence of this antibody will be in response to either having had the vaccine or having been exposed to the virus.
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If I get a positive test result does it mean I’m immune to COVID-19?
No. COVID-19 is a novel virus and it still isn’t known when the antibodies provide immunity to COVID-19.
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How does the antibody test work?
The test looks for antibodies to the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is generated by your immune system in response to either the COVID-19 vaccines and/or exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. A positive result means the antibody was detected you have either previously had or been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19, or that you have had a COVID-19 vaccine. A negative result means that the antibody was undetected which means you have either not been exposed to the virus or have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, or that your immune system response to either the virus or vaccine has occurred to a lesser extent or not at all.
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How accurate is the test?
We use the Roche spike protein IgG antibody test, which has a sensitivity of 99.8% and a specificity of 98.8% in samples taken 14 days or later after the vaccine or onset of new symptoms. No test is 100% accurate.
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How long does it take to get the results?
Your results will be available within 72 hours.
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When can I get a test done?
Tests can be completed after at least 14 days of having the COVID-19 vaccine, or from onset of first symptoms of a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.
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If I test positive, am I contagious?
No. The test identifies whether you have developed antibodies in response to a past infection/exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19, or to the vaccination. This test does not tell you if you currently have the virus.
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What will Nuffield Health do with my result?
A positive or negative result will follow the mandatory reporting process to Public Health England, as per Government guidelines.
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If I have symptoms can I get tested?
The NHS provides PCR testing, which will tell you if you currently have COVID-19.
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Can I do an at-home test?
This test isn’t currently available for home use.
COVID-19 Testing
We also offer government-approved Gold Standard PCR and Lateral Flow Antigen testing services for