#32: COVID antibody testing, immunity and vaccinations with James Freeman

What Does Good Look Like?

Testing is one of the most important strategies we have to control the COVID pandemic, yet it seems difficult to implement well, at scale.
The type of tests used to tell if you’ve had the disease in the past, the so called serology, or antibody, tests, in particular had a bit of a rough start. But what’s the status of these tests now? Are all antibody tests on the market equally good? Are they at all reliable, and perhaps even more importantly, are they useful?
In this episode we meet James Freeman, who’s worked in assay development for over 35 years and who’s led the development of Siemens Healthineers’ top-performing COVID antibody test .
James will explain the difference between COVID antibody tests on the market, and what you should be looking for when buying a test. We’ll also discuss immunity and how antibody testing can be used to evaluate the response to a vaccine.
After listening to this episode, you’ll have a good understanding of what information you can and can’t get from an antibody test. And if you feel like you want to test your own antibodies, you know how to choose the right test for you, based on the questions you want answered.
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Disclaimer: This podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of disease. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking appropriate medical support because of something you have heard on the podcast.