SARS-CoV 2 Antibody Testing and Natural Immunity
Mario Funken made this Official Information request to Ministry of Health
The request was partially successful.
From: Mario Funken
Dear Ministry of Health,
1. On what basis does the Ministry deny public access to antibody testing to check for natural immunity from SARS-CoV 2?
2. Does the Ministry consider natural immunity after previous infection as equivalent or better protection than receiving 2 doses of the vaccine?
3. Does the Ministry consider natural immunity a valid medical exemption criterium for vaccine mandates?
Yours faithfully,
Mario Funken
From: OIA Requests
Kia ora,
Thank you for your Official Information Act (the Act) request. This is
an automatic reply to let you know we received it.
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic response, the Ministry is experiencing
significantly higher volumes of queries and requests for information. We
will endeavour to acknowledge your request as soon as possible. Further
information about COVID-19 can be found on our
website: [1]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
In accordance with the Act, we'll let you know our decision within no more
than 20 working days. If you'd like to calculate the timeframe, you can
use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [2]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
If you have any questions while we're processing your request, please let
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Ngā mihi
OIA Services Team
[4]Ministry of Health information releases
[5]Unite against COVID-19
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From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Mario,
Thank you for your request for official information. The Ministry's
reference number for your request is: H202115104.
As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Ministry will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after
the day your request was received. If you'd like to calculate the
timeframe, you can use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic response, the Ministry is experiencing
significantly higher volumes of queries and requests for information. If
we are unable to respond to your request within this time frame, we will
notify you of an extension of that time frame.
If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch.
Ngā mihi
OIA Services
Government Services
Office of the Director-General
Ministry of Health
E: [2][email address]
-----Original Message-----
From: Mario Funken <[FOI #17369 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 27 October 2021 9:35 pm
To: OIA Requests <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - SARS-CoV 2 Antibody Testing and
Natural Immunity
Dear Ministry of Health,
1. On what basis does the Ministry deny public access to antibody testing
to check for natural immunity from SARS-CoV 2?
2. Does the Ministry consider natural immunity after previous infection as
equivalent or better protection than receiving 2 doses of the vaccine?
3. Does the Ministry consider natural immunity a valid medical exemption
criterium for vaccine mandates?
Yours faithfully,
Mario Funken
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From: OIA Requests
Tēnā koe Mario
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act) to the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) on 27 October 2021 for
information regarding COVID-19. Each part of your request is answered in
turn.
On what basis does the Ministry deny public access to antibody testing to
check for natural immunity from SARS-CoV 2?
There is concern, internationally, about the accuracy of COVID-19 point of
care test kits and the potential for them to be misinterpreted or provide
a misleading result. The research to date indicates that these tests are
not suitable for diagnostic purposes and have poor reliability.
Information regarding the import status of point of care test kits is
publicly available on the New Zealand Customs Service website which may be
useful to
you: [1]www.customs.govt.nz/covid-19/businesses/point-of-care-test-kits/.
Does the Ministry consider natural immunity after previous infection as
equivalent or better protection than receiving 2 doses of the vaccine?
No, after the second vaccine dose, the antibody levels were higher than
those seen after the first dose, and higher than those seen after natural
infection.
Does the Ministry consider natural immunity a valid medical exemption
criterium for vaccine mandates?
As above, two doses of the vaccine provide higher levels of antibodies
than seen after natural infection. you can find information about this on
the Ministry website
at: [2]www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-how-vaccine-works#doses.
You may also find the following information on the Ministry website
helpful:
o Immunity and
antibodies: [3]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise....
o Proof of
vaccination: [4]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to
review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [5][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
OIA Services
Government Services
Office of the Director-General
Ministry of Health
E: [6][email address]
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From: Mario Funken
Dear OIA Requests,
Thank you for your reply. Please allow me to clarify one of my initial questions and make a few follow-up requests based on your response.
1. My question regarding antibody testing was not related to point-of-care testing for diagnostic purposes but rather laboratory based serology testing to confirm past exposure. According to the MoH website, these tests are not available to the public.
https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
Here it says "The antibody/serology test is not available publicly on request in New Zealand."
I since learned that this statement is false. Covid antibody serology tests are in fact publicly available on request and do not require a referral from a GP.
a) Why does the MoH publish this false, misleading statement on their website?
b) Does the MoH discourage the use of publicly available serology testing? If yes, what is the rationale behind this?
2. Please provide the underlying sources relating to your statement that "two doses of the vaccine provide higher levels of antibodies than seen after natural infection.".
3. Does the MoH consider time-dependent decay of antibody levels when making the above statement? If not, what is this decision based on?
4. Does the MoH consider the breadth of SARS-CoV 2 antibodies when making the above statement? If not, what is this decision based on?
4. Does the MoH consider research on the incidence of re-infections vs. breakthrough infections when assessing natural immunity? If not, what is this decision based on?
Yours sincerely,
Mario Funken
From: OIA Requests
Kia ora,
Thank you for your Official Information Act (the Act) request. This is
an automatic reply to let you know we received it.
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic response, the Ministry is experiencing
significantly higher volumes of queries and requests for information. We
will endeavour to acknowledge your request as soon as possible. Further
information about COVID-19 can be found on our
website: [1]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
In accordance with the Act, we'll let you know our decision within no more
than 20 working days. If you'd like to calculate the timeframe, you can
use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [2]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
If you have any questions while we're processing your request, please let
us know via [3][email address]
Ngā mihi
OIA Services Team
[4]Ministry of Health information releases
[5]Unite against COVID-19
****************************************************************************
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5. https://covid19.govt.nz/
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From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Mario,
Thank you for your request for official information. The Ministry's
reference number for your request is: H202115980
As required under the Official Information Act 1982, the Ministry will
endeavour to respond to your request no later than 20 working days after
the day your request was received. If you'd like to calculate the
timeframe, you can use the Ombudsman's online calculator
here: [1]http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic response, the Ministry is experiencing
significantly higher volumes of queries and requests for information. If
we are unable to respond to your request within this time frame, we will
notify you of an extension of that time frame.
If you have any queries related to this request, please do not hesitate to
get in touch.
Ngā mihi
OIA Services
Government Services
Office of the Director-General
Ministry of Health
E: [2][email address]
-----Original Message-----
From: Mario Funken <[FOI #17369 email]>
Sent: Friday, 12 November 2021 8:21 am
To: OIA Requests <[email address]>
Subject: Re: Your request for information, ref: H202115104
Dear OIA Requests,
Thank you for your reply. Please allow me to clarify one of my initial
questions and make a few follow-up requests based on your response.
1. My question regarding antibody testing was not related to point-of-care
testing for diagnostic purposes but rather laboratory based serology
testing to confirm past exposure. According to the MoH website, these
tests are not available to the public.
[3]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
Here it says "The antibody/serology test is not available publicly on
request in New Zealand."
I since learned that this statement is false. Covid antibody serology
tests are in fact publicly available on request and do not require a
referral from a GP.
a) Why does the MoH publish this false, misleading statement on their
website?
b) Does the MoH discourage the use of publicly available serology testing?
If yes, what is the rationale behind this?
2. Please provide the underlying sources relating to your statement that
"two doses of the vaccine provide higher levels of antibodies than seen
after natural infection.".
3. Does the MoH consider time-dependent decay of antibody levels when
making the above statement? If not, what is this decision based on?
4. Does the MoH consider the breadth of SARS-CoV 2 antibodies when making
the above statement? If not, what is this decision based on?
4. Does the MoH consider research on the incidence of re-infections vs.
breakthrough infections when assessing natural immunity? If not, what is
this decision based on?
Yours sincerely,
Mario Funken
-----Original Message-----
Tēnā koe Mario
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
Act) to the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) on 27 October 2021 for
information regarding COVID-19. Each part of your request is answered in
turn.
On what basis does the Ministry deny public access to antibody testing to
check for natural immunity from SARS-CoV 2?
There is concern, internationally, about the accuracy of COVID-19 point
of care test kits and the potential for them to be misinterpreted or
provide a misleading result. The research to date indicates that these
tests are not suitable for diagnostic purposes and have poor reliability.
Information regarding the import status of point of care test kits is
publicly available on the New Zealand Customs Service website which may
be useful to
you: [1][4]www.customs.govt.nz/covid-19/businesses/point-of-care-test-kits/.
Does the Ministry consider natural immunity after previous infection as
equivalent or better protection than receiving 2 doses of the vaccine?
No, after the second vaccine dose, the antibody levels were higher than
those seen after the first dose, and higher than those seen after natural
infection.
Does the Ministry consider natural immunity a valid medical exemption
criterium for vaccine mandates?
As above, two doses of the vaccine provide higher levels of antibodies
than seen after natural infection. you can find information about this on
the Ministry website
at: [2][5]www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines/covid-19-how-vaccine-works#doses.
You may also find the following information on the Ministry website
helpful:
o Immunity and
antibodies: [3][6]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise....
o Proof of
vaccination: [4][7]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman
to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may be
contacted by email at: [5][email address] or by calling 0800
802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
OIA Services
Government Services
Office of the Director-General
Ministry of Health
E: [6][email address]
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[9]http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/disea...
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[10]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
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[11]https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/dise...
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From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Mario,
Thank you for your request for official information, received by the
Ministry of Health on 12 November 2021 requesting:
“1. Here it says "The antibody/serology test is not available publicly on
request in New Zealand."
a) Why does the MoH publish this false, misleading statement on their
website?
b) Does the MoH discourage the use of publicly available serology testing?
If yes, what is the rationale behind this?
2. Please provide the underlying sources relating to your statement that
"two doses of the vaccine provide higher levels of antibodies than seen
after natural infection.".
3. Does the MoH consider time-dependent decay of antibody levels when
making the above statement? If not, what is this decision based on?
4. Does the MoH consider the breadth of SARS-CoV 2 antibodies when making
the above statement? If not, what is this decision based on?
4. Does the MoH consider research on the incidence of re-infections vs.
breakthrough infections when assessing natural immunity? If not, what is
this decision based on?”
The Ministry has decided to extend the period of time available to respond
to your request under section 15A of the Official Information Act 1982
(the Act) as further collation is required.
You can now expect a response to your request on, or before, 22 December
2021.
You have the right, under section 28 of the Act, to ask the Ombudsman to
review my decision to extend the time available to respond to your
request.
Ngâ mihi
OIA Services
Government Services
Office of the Director-General
Ministry of Health
E: [1][email address]
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From: OIA Requests
Kia ora Mario
Please find attached a letter regarding your request for information
Ngā mihi
OIA Services
Government Services
Office of the Director-General
Ministry of Health
E: [1][email address]
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Debbie left an annotation ()
I have just randomly checked one of their references and it states:
"In this investigation we examined the magnitude, breadth, and durability of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies in two distinct B-cell compartments: long-lived plasma cell-derived antibodies in the plasma, and peripheral memory B-cells along with their associated antibody profiles elicited after in vitro stimulation. We found that magnitude varied amongst individuals, but was the highest in hospitalized subjects. Variants of concern (VoC) -RBD-reactive antibodies were found in the plasma of 72% of samples in this investigation, and VoC-RBD-reactive memory B-cells were found in all but 1 subject at a single time-point. This finding, that VoC-RBD-reactive MBCs are present in the peripheral blood of all subjects including those that experienced asymptomatic or mild disease, provides a reason for optimism regarding the capacity of vaccination, prior infection, and/or both, to limit disease severity and transmission of variants of concern as they continue to arise and circulate."
ie: It states quite clearly that prior infection limits disease severity and transmission.
The ministry really should read some of the material it is bandying about.
Amy left an annotation ()
There is a plethora of information that clearly demonstrates that prior infection confers sufficient long-lasting immunity or is evidence of a sufficiently robust immune system to fight off SARS-COV-2 (hence why some people don't even have an antibody response). This is why the WHO and most other sensible countries acknowledge that the pandemic will be ended by a combination of both vaccination and naturally acquired immunity.
There is a glaring double standard going on in the response you've received. It is well known and studied that not everyone who gets vaccinated will mount a sufficient immune response to provide protection against SARS-COV-2, let alone the waning issue. So why do vaccinated people get 'proxy immunity' that affords them full access to society but not people who have recovered from COVID? It's very important because on the current trajectory, I'm sure a lot of people whose vaccines failed them but who recovered might start asking why they should have to effectively take boosters indefinitely, since if they have recovered don't they also have long-lasting immunity?
I think your best question is why is the degree of immunity afforded via prior infection not suitably accepted, rather than whether it is equivalent to or better than vaccination. That should help tease out the specific types of immunological evidence they are using (and not using) in making their determinations.
Amy left an annotation ()
It's concerning that the studies you've been referred to in the reply you received are non-peer reviewed. However, multiple peer reviewed, published studies exist to show effective immunity in recovered patients including ones pre-dating the reply... A couple are here:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-0...
https://academic.oup.com/cid/advance-art...
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?...
https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medici...(21)00203-2?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2666379121002032%3Fshowall%3Dtrue
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Mario Funken left an annotation ()
To whomever is reading this:
Contrary to the Ministry's response, Covid-19 antibody serology tests are publicly available and do not require a referral from your GP. You can simply contact one of your local Medlab branches and request an antibody test.
They are using the Roche antibody assay test kits here: https://diagnostics.roche.com/us/en/land...
The test will come back positive if you have significant levels of IgG or IgM antibodies against the Sars-CoV2 nucleocapsid protein in your blood serum. This is a strong indication for prior exposure to the virus and likely means that you have natural immunity.
It is unclear to me why the Ministry attempts to openly mislead the public about the availability of these tests.
Link to this