THE people are advised against taking COVID-19 antibody tests as there is no clinical guideline issued on the matter so far, said Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Khairy, who is also the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) coordinating minister, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as health agencies in other countries have recommended against it.
“There is no clinical guideline for an antibody test that produces accurate results,” he told a press conference today, adding that the Health Ministry will issue an official statement on the matter soon.
He said a study on the COVID-19 vaccine’s effects on the immune system is being conducted by the Institute for Medical Research (IMR) and the outcome will be announced to the public.
On related matter, former Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye agreed that antibody testing is not recommended post vaccination as there is no reliable measurement of immunity towards COVID-19.
Explaining the matter, Lee told FocusM that most antibody testing kits in the market are not checking an element called neutralising antibodies.
“Neutralising antibodies are antibodies which can kill the virus or protect the human body from getting sick after COVID-19 infection.
“While some manufacturers do use neutralising antibody test as a guide, different antibody test kit makers use different tests and there is no agreed standard so far,” he noted.
The Gopeng MP remarked: “Neutralising antibody is not the only defence against virus infection after vaccination. The inoculation also stimulates memory B and T cells, which responds rapidly to COVID-19 upon infection.” – Aug 7, 2021
