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# Don’t Use Antibody Tests After Covid Vaccination: FDA
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/dont-use-antibody-tests-after-covid-vaccination-fda/
- Published: 2021-05-19T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-14T16:59:37.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Devices, #legacy-id-D5149350

FDA says antibody tests should not be used at this time to determine immunity or protection against Covid-19, especially after a person has received a Covid-19 vaccination. A just-posted [safety communication](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-brief-fda-advises-against-use-sars-cov-2-antibody-test-results-evaluate-immunity-or-protection?ref=fdaweb.com) says:

- The authorized Covid-19 vaccines induce antibodies to specific viral protein targets; post-vaccination antibody test results will be negative in individuals without a history of previous natural infection if the test used does not detect the type of antibodies induced by the vaccine.
- Currently [authorized SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests](http://email.prnewswire.com/ls/click?upn=3slWLw94I3jq-2B-2FedjFNgZH-2F-2BdT2Hfvce-2B9YoPQjyr3PABpCABgmol4DLkBOz8KlUTu8-2BN56c31ecCJqy-2B2v0PA3IUkOrOnHObfGmDHL-2F3M6xGl7xDxb6BN1LATvs-2FUBkgHi2iqUpilmu39NSIsQ1HK7ikUe1tzEoQeD9R86RBhwkFtWPQKkWAgtzW-2BBTT964haFfaQTdGjXbsJHEKVxfUfMxRRmASJbC4wPZM2thy44PzN-2Fccka-2BWGJfbdJeyDeQQa9H2wCD-2F44TWfkqYmOzUl5sGxkI-2BALGBSj8yBzPXXA-3DUacw%5Ff0D7hj0BJ4b-2F7NuVqzPDs7FGiq8VLIwAX0sPSotqoLJejYqb1dmQHyCXe45PgGWVkPsru1AhZZbwdvyHu-2F0QBiVyzPrQWeE0pg6v5huW6vvL4tkaBh-2Bdf0y6Alz-2Fgb5EkylxGEQ-2FVCDnYGMVlflb-2Biukt9-2BgO9lEDdLKzCZRJPa5uTRop8efdlxJS8zRl-2FUyBfQtukWz2vBlojuZrvLhu6-2B6HDKG6aiHrvjru1ifkKOMgKtKmDc4heb9iCD-2B5P6-2BZXTTvwUjKLlZ9JUzyRDD2lwmc0uMwQItR-2B8bY5F8WgMDMKuS8nJHojv1jf4DLGLad314YJpwzvZFsnGgj08nT58uhNn4r7IGSv5ioTjuCUg-3D&ref=fdaweb.com) are not validated to evaluate immunity or protection from Covid-19 infection. Antibody tests should be ordered only by health care providers who are familiar with the use and limitations of the test.

FDA says it will continue to monitor the use of authorized antibody tests for purposes other than identifying people with an adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2 from a recent or prior infection.