QR code for antibody level: who can get it and what is needed for this

From February 21 in RUSSIA, a QR code can be obtained with a positive test result for antibodies to covid-19 . RBC Petersburg found out where you can take such an analysis, how much it costs, what results are needed to obtain a certificate, and where they will be allowed to go with it.

Who can issue such a QR code

Even those who have been ill “unofficially” without going to the DOCTOR, as well as those vaccinated with a vaccine not recognized in the Russian Federation (for example, Pfizer / BioNTech, Moderna, ASTRAZENECA or Chinese Sinovac and Sinopharm) will be able to receive a document on the transferred COVID-19. The basis for the changes was the order of the Ministry of HEALTH of the Russian Federation dated February 4, 2022 No. 58 and the order of the HEAD of Rospotrebnadzor in St. Petersburg.

Recall that earlier a QR code could only be received by those who officially recovered from COVID-19 over the past year or were vaccinated with any of the Russian vaccines (Sputnik V from the Gamaleya Institute, EpiVacKorona from the Vector Virology Center and KoviVak, developed by the Chumakov Center). For the unvaccinated and those who had not been ill, it was possible to receive a QR code only by the result of a PCR test. However, this code was valid for 48 hours.

What test to take

Unlike PCR, for which a swab is taken from the throat and nose, for the SARS-COV-2 CORONAVIRUS antibody test, blood is taken from a vein. The test can be taken at any laboratory accredited by Rospotrebnadzor. The analysis period is from one to three days. The cost of tests varies from 645 to 1,490 rubles. depending on the type of test (there are quantitative and qualitative tests for IgG antibodies and for IgM antibodies) and laboratory prices. The cost of blood sampling is separately estimated.

Companies surveyed by RBC Petersburg reported a significant increase in demand for this service. “We are seeing an increase in demand for quantitative and qualitative tests for IgG antibodies to COVID-19. Growth from 30% to 70% for different types of tests over the past two weeks compared to January,” said Daria Goryakina, Deputy General DIRECTOR of the Helix Laboratory Service. The company believes that the growth will be significant - demand could double the level of the usual load for this type of research. Helix does not exclude the explosive demand that was observed in late June - early July 2021 in connection with the introduction of mandatory vaccination in a number of regions. In Invitro also expects an increase in demand, but found it difficult to estimate it in numbers, since the situation, as explained by the company, is difficult to accurately predict.