Coronavirus (Covid-19) Infection Survey – Antibody and Vaccination Data for Northern Ireland

The Department of Health today published a report on antibody and vaccination data from the COVID-19 Infection Survey (CIS).

The findings set out in this report relate to estimates for Northern Ireland for the week beginning 27 September 2021.

This report is part of the series of Northern Ireland publications from the COVID-19 Infection Survey. Further information can be found on the Department of Health website.

Key Findings

Due to the relatively small number of people who tested positive for antibodies within our sample, credible intervals are wide and therefore results should be interpreted with caution.

• In Northern Ireland, it is estimated that 90.8% of the adult population (95% credible interval: 86.7% to 93.3%) would have tested positive for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 on a blood test in the week beginning 27 September 2021, suggesting they had the infection in the past or have been vaccinated.
• In the week beginning 27 September 2021, the percentage of adults aged 16 to 69 testing positive for antibodies ranged from 92.7% to 96.9%; for those 70 years and over it was 83.1% (95% credible interval: 71.5% to 89.9%).
• The survey provides an estimate of the percentage of people that have been vaccinated however it should be noted that the figures are based on self-report and may differ from official figures which are a more precise count of total vaccines issued.
• The survey estimates will allow for additional analysis of vaccination information with other characteristics, such as testing positive for antibodies.
• The survey shows that in Northern Ireland, an estimated 93.8% (95% credible interval: 93.1% to 94.4%) of the adult population have been vaccinated (at least one dose) against SARS-CoV-2 in the week beginning 27 September 2021.
• In the week beginning 27 September 2021, the survey shows the percentage of people who have been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 (at least one dose) for those aged 70 years and over was 98.3% (95% credible interval: 97.6% to 98.8%). The percentage in the other age groups ranged from 82.8% to 96.8%.
• The survey suggests an estimated 82.0% (95% credible interval: 80.9% to 83.0%) of adults have received two or more doses.

Notes to editors: 

1. The Department of Health has been working along with the Public Health Agency, Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency and the Office for National Statistics (and its various survey partners) to extend the COVID-19 Infection Survey to Northern Ireland. Fieldwork in Northern Ireland began on 27 July 2020.
2. All results are provisional and subject to revision. Due to the relatively small number of people who tested positive for antibodies within our sample, credible intervals are wide and therefore results should be interpreted with caution.
3. These statistics refer to the presence of antibodies to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and vaccinations within the community population, by which we mean private residential households. These figures exclude those in hospitals, care homes and/or other institutional settings.

4. This report is part of the series of Northern Ireland publications from the COVID-19 Infection Survey. Positivity estimates are published on a weekly basis and antibody/vaccination data fortnightly. Further information can be found on the Department of Health website.

5. Further information about quality and methodology associated with the survey can be found on the ONS website.

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/methodologies/covid19infectionsurveypilotmethodsandfurtherinformation#covid-19-infection-survey

6. This publication is available online.

7. Additional information is available from:
   Information Analysis Directorate
   Department of Health
   Annex 2, Castle Buildings
   Stormont
   Belfast BT4 3SQ
   Telephone:         028 9052 2340        E-mail: statistics@health-ni.gov.uk
    
8. For media enquiries please contact the DoH Press Office by email pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk.
    
9. Follow us on Twitter @healthdpt.
    
10. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service For Media Enquiries Only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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