The Role of Serology Testing to Strengthen Vaccination Initiatives and Policies for COVID-19 in Europe

Abstract

This review explores and positions the value of serology testing to support current immunization policies and the broader policy response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis in Europe. We applied an exploratory approach to analysing existing evidence, international recommendations, and national policies using desk research from secondary sources, document analysis, and expert information. Regional and country-level resources from five focus countries were included: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Seven experts in the fields of COVID-19 immunization, serology testing, seroepidemiology, and vaccine safety and effectiveness studies contributed to the review and convened in two online panel sessions. The paper includes an overview of (1) the impact of the pandemic to date, (2) testing strategies, (3) COVID-19 vaccination policies, (4) lessons on using serology testing to support immunization, (5) current policies and recommendations on the use of a serology testing strategy, and (6) implementation barriers and challenges. Finally, this paper also provides a set of knowledge-based recommendations to advance the effective and timely inclusion of serology testing and resolve impeding knowledge gaps. The recommendations herein are intended to support timely decision-making, raise awareness, guide advocacy initiatives, and inspire future studies.

Anti-Spike SARS-CoV-2 IgG Assessment with a Commercial Assay during a 4-Month Course after COVID-19 Vaccination

“…The serological testing proved useful in both natural disease recognition and in vaccine immunogenicity studies. Using serology in the context of the COVID-19 vaccination has been a subject of experts' scrutiny for a few months [16,17]. The main questions raised concern the type of antibodies that should be assessed, the assays to be used, and the time points at which the testing should be performed.…”

IgG antibody production and persistence to 6 months following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: A Northern Ireland observational study

“…It is important for understanding response to emerging variants, detecting differences in levels of immunity (vaccinated immunity versus infection-acquired immunity) and their durability. Strategic antibody screening will inform the need for boosters and vaccination strategies globally [6] .…”

The Role of Serology Testing in the Context of Immunization Policies for COVID-19 in Latin American Countries

“…Experience in seroprevalence, seroepidemiology, and post-marketing vaccine effectiveness studies was considered an asset. This review was inspired by a similar project conducted in Europe [1], adopting a similar framework for the collection of data. As the first step, six primary topics were identified: (1) the impact of the pandemic in the LATAM region and focus countries, (2) current testing strategies, (3) national COVID-19 vaccination policies of focus countries, (4) current policies on the use of serology testing, (5) literature on the use of serology testing in immunization programs, and (6) barriers and challenges limiting implementation.…”

“…This review has three goals: (1) to provide an overview of the role and value of serology testing as a tool to support COVID-19 immunization policies in LATAM, (2) to identify the barriers and challenges to the use and uptake of this tool in the current pandemic scenario, and (3) to provide an overview of the potential actions required to address these barriers and facilitate the uptake of this strategy in the region. International, national, and local health policy decision-makers involved in planning COVID-19 vaccination programs and strategies, the academic community, medical societies, as well as other stakeholders can use elements of this document to inspire further studies and build the necessary partnerships and alliances for collaborative actions.…”