Coronavirus (Covid-19) Infection Survey – Antibody and Vaccination Data for Northern Ireland
Date published:
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 31 January 2022.
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
- In Northern Ireland, in the week beginning 31 January 2022, it is estimated that 98.2% of the adult population (95% credible interval: 97.3% to 98.8%) would have tested positive on a blood test for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, at the 179 ng/ml threshold. This threshold is higher than our previously reported standard threshold of 42 ng/ml, reflecting having had the virus in the past or having been vaccinated. This higher threshold will provide the earliest signs of any changes in antibody levels.
- In the week beginning 31 January 2022, the percentage of adults who would have tested positive for antibodies at the 179 ng/ml threshold remained high among all age groups in Northern Ireland. The percentage of adults aged 16 to 69 who would have tested positive for antibodies ranged from 97.3% to 98.9%; for those 70 years and over it was 98.4% (95% credible interval: 96.5% to 99.3%).
- Across the UK, the percentage of children who are estimated to have antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 at the 179 ng/ml threshold ranged from 91.7% to 95.1% for those aged 12 to 15 years and from 72.2% to 82.0% for those aged 8 to 11 years, in the week beginning 31 January 2022.
Please note that vaccine estimates for adults require additional quality assurance and therefore have not been updated in this publication; they will be reintroduced as soon as possible.
Notes to editors:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Further information about quality and methodology associated with the survey can be found on the ONS website.
- This publication is available online.
- 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
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