Neutralization is the ability to block infection directly. Neutralizing antibodies represent a subpopulation of binding antibodies that can block cellular infiltration and replication of the virus. The test is designed to mimic the virus-host interaction to determine in-vitro neutralization capacity of patient sera.

• Post vaccination

  To check whether your body responds to the vaccination and how much of these antibodies are neutralizing antibodies. The test helps assess potential antibody-association immunity.

• Past infection

  To identify individuals with past exposure.

A lab technician will take a bit of your blood and conduct tests to detect neutralizing antibodies specific to the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in the blood.

At the moment, it is uncertain if neutralizing antibody provides resistance or protection against COVID-19. Since the antibody threshold for immunity has not yet been established and lacks adequate clinical evidence, it is therefore unclear;

» whether the presence of neutralizing antibody correlates with protective immunity to re-infection or post-vaccination

» whether the neutralizing antibody indicates lack of infectiousness to others

» how long the antibody is likely to last in infected or vaccinated individuals