Mologic's antigen test evaluation report from LSTM12 Jan 2021 16:24
The RNS on 24th December advised us that the full report on Mologic's antigen test from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine is due very soon. We already know that LSTM thought highly of the test. Interesting that it's LTSM who are helping the government as independent, academic partners, to develop the surveillance methods for the vaccine efficacy. This will include all key demographics, every group with underlying health issues. It aims to answer key questions such as whether the vaccine is still transmissable and how long immunity lasts as well as the level of protection that is afforded in real life settings.
Those vaccinated will be amongst the groups who are monitored through the SIREN program for health workers and a separate study for care workers. PCRs and lfts will be used quarterly and fortnightly with a recommendation for twice weekly lfts (page 18, section 3, vaccine plan) and in the surveillance report regular antibody lfts- 'we are examining how we can make use of antibody tests' (page 14, section 5).
A big emphasis on surveillance. We are first out of the block. We have a responsibility to learn as much as we can but most of all we have to defeat the virus for everyone's sake. The vaccine plan also makes it clear we will be using mass testing to support us to emerge from the restrictions. It's hard to work out what's going on with the MHRA. One thing's for sure we are best positioned to win all the big contracts for antibody tests. They want both types of tests. Mologic's test is very sensitive and will pick up 3 antibodies. The ABC19 test will recognise high levels of antibodies sufficient to confer immunity.
£285 million worth of antibody contracts. £85 million worth has actually got our name on it.