Irish healthcare company RocDoc has launched an antibody testing service at Shannon Airport.
Antibody testing can determine whether or not an individual has developed an immunity to Covid-19, either through a vaccine or through contracting Covid-19 previously.
RocDoc said the test can also determine whether or not an individual has a strong or weak immunity to Covid-19.
In the coming days, the company said it will also be providing antibody tests at its facilities at Cork Airport and Dublin airport.
RocDoc Chief Executive, David Rock, explained how their test detects IgG and IgM antibodies, which can be found in both natural immunity and vaccine-induced immunity.
"This means that our test can tell you whether the vaccine is working or can provide an indication as to whether you have had Covid-19 in the past," he said.
RocDoc said the antibody test is conducted in a different way to other Covid-19 tests, as Mr Rock explained.
‘’The antibody test involves a small finger prick, where small droplets of blood are taken from the finger, dropped into a container and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
"It is the same process as a blood sugar test, which people with diabetes will be very familiar with.
"The test is extremely accurate, with a specificity of 99.98% and a sensitivity of 98.8%,’’ he said.
