New antibodies test to help empower individuals around how they work and play
Local businesses are operating at full capacity in Ontario, schools are back in session, and non-essential travel is ramping back up. It’s an exciting time of reconnection, requiring a new approach to COVID-19 safety. That’s what prompted Ivan
Lauzon, a tennis coach from Leaside, to take a COVID-19 antibody test through Vector Health Labs.
“My wife and I are planning a trip to Mexico for the holidays, and I wanted to make sure I was safe to travel. I also wanted to know if I’ll need a booster
shot when they become available,” Lauzon says. Although he’s double vaccinated, tests showed his level of COVID-19 antibodies are low. He says this will influence his decision to get a booster when available.
“In the meantime, I’ll keep doing the rapid tests when necessary to protect others,” he says. He notes
he feels well informed thanks to the combination of knowing his antibody levels and rapid testing.
Vector Health Labs is offering a first-of-its-kind COVID-19 antibody test to support people and businesses as they navigate the road ahead. By measuring COVID-19 antibody levels in the blood, this test helps anyone who was vaccinated, or has previously contracted COVID-19, understand their body’s level of defence against future infections.
“Immune responses and antibody production vary greatly from one person to
the next,” explains Daniel Libertucci, chief scientific officer at Vector Health. He notes factors like age,
gender, and pre-existing conditions can all influence one’s response to the vaccine.
“As it stands right now we don’t know how long COVID-19 antibodies last in the bloodstream,” he continues. “As we approach the one-year anniversary of being vaccinated for some people, there’s valid concern that the immune response has waned in people who got the vaccination early.”
The test analyzes the proteins present on COVID-19 antibodies in a patient’s bloodstream. This information is used to determine what caused the antibodies to form in the first place —helping patients piece together their personal history of exposure to the virus. There are two possibilities: some antibodies are generated in response to vaccination, and some are generated in response to
natural exposure, like contracting COVID-19 from a social environment.
“It shows a historical picture, whereas the PCR test is the gold standard for determining whether someone is currently infected,” Libertucci says.
As socializing returns to normal, COVID-19 antibody testing is a tool that can be used individually as a complement to public health guidelines. Those whose tests reveal lower levels of antibodies
are able to make strategic choices about work, socializing and travel — before they become infected. In
addition, Vector Health Labs offers patients consultation with a clinical expert along with their antibody test. This helps individuals interpret their test results, and better understand if they may want to consider a COVID-19 booster shot.
In addition to its antibodies test, Vector Health offers customized programs for COVID-19 testing in the workplace, which may help leaders and employees protect themselves and others. Through these programs, test results are
stored in a dashboard called CANATRACE Perimeter, easily accessible by each individual required to show proof of their COVID-19 status at their workplace.
“An outbreak at a workplace that causes it to shut down can be avoided with regular testing, combined with some way to measure the number of employees who are vaccinated and testing negative,” says Asif Khan, the company’s chief technology officer. “When business owners have metrics, they’re in a better situation to make
proactive decisions on how to operate.”
Launched last spring, CANATRACE Perimeter is already used by more than 9,000 businesses nationwide as a contact tracing tool for guests at businesses like restaurants, or staff in workplaces like warehouses. The next iteration of the tool will involve a digital wallet for individual health credentials, where users can store their antibody test results and easily produce their vaccination information in settings where it’s required — whether they’re enjoying a meal with friends or starting a shift at work.
“It’s more than a vaccine passport — it’s a container where you can store anything related to your personal health. The power of that data goes into the hands of the consumer themselves,” says Khan.
As Ontarians take measured steps back into everyday life, Vector Health Labs antibody tests are intended to help individuals and organizations make informed decisions about how they work and play.
Visit vectorhealth.ca to learn more.