1. Design and Implementation of a National Program to Monitor the Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibodies in England Using Self-Testing: The REACT-2 Study.
- Author
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Ward H, Atchison C, Whitaker M, Davies B, Ashby D, Darzi A, Chadeau-Hyam M, Riley S, Donnelly CA, Barclay W, Cooke GS, and Elliott P
- Subjects
- Adult, Humans, SARS-CoV-2, Prevalence, Cross-Sectional Studies, State Medicine, Antibodies, Viral, Immunoglobulin G, England epidemiology, COVID-19 diagnosis, COVID-19 epidemiology
- Abstract
Data System. The UK Department of Health and Social Care funded the REal-time Assessment of Community Transmission-2 (REACT-2) study to estimate community prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG (immunoglobulin G) antibodies in England. Data Collection/Processing. We obtained random cross-sectional samples of adults from the National Health Service (NHS) patient list (near-universal coverage). We sent participants a lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) self-test, and they reported the result online. Overall, 905 991 tests were performed (28.9% response) over 6 rounds of data collection (June 2020-May 2021). Data Analysis/Dissemination. We produced weighted estimates of LFIA test positivity (validated against neutralizing antibodies), adjusted for test performance, at local, regional, and national levels and by age, sex, and ethnic group and area-level deprivation score. In each round, fieldwork occurred over 2 weeks, with results reported to policymakers the following week. We disseminated results as preprints and peer-reviewed journal publications. Public Health Implications. REACT-2 estimated the scale and variation in antibody prevalence over time. Community self-testing and -reporting produced rapid insights into the changing course of the pandemic and the impact of vaccine rollout, with implications for future surveillance. ( Am J Public Health. 2023;113(11):1201-1209. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307381).
- Published
- 2023
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