Coronavirus infection study

Coronavirus infection follow-up study

In order to enable vital research into the long-term health impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (‘long COVID’), we are inviting some UK Biobank participants who took part in our recent self-test COVID antibody study to provide additional help.

We would like to determine whether vaccinated participants who tested ‘positive’ for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in our antibody self-test study developed these antibodies as a result of having been infected with SARS-CoV-2 (rather than as a result of having been vaccinated).

If you agree to help, we will send you a finger-prick blood sampling kit (the Thriva coronavirus antibody test kit) so that you can take a small blood sample so that we can complete a laboratory-based test which will provide this information. Taking the blood sample is simple and quick to do, and you will then be asked to post it to a laboratory for analysis. Once your sample has been analysed, you will receive your test results via email from UK Biobank.

Please read the study information carefully, as it explains why and how we are asking you to help. To understand what will be involved in taking the blood sample, please read the blood sampling information and watch the instructional video here. If anything is not clear, or if you would like more information, please refer to our frequently asked questions. If you decide that you would like to take part after having read all of the study information, please log on to our participant website, go to the ‘Coronavirus infection study’ section then click on the “Join study” button to give your consent to take part.

Taking part is entirely voluntary and will not affect your ongoing relationship with UK Biobank.