The test is sold as a "snapshot" of human immunity to COVID-19

The test is sold as a "snapshot" of human immunity to COVID-19

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The test is sold as a "snapshot" of human immunity to COVID-19

Kansas' largest full-time law enforcement agency does not require its officials to be vaccinated against COVID-19, but now provides COVID-19 antibody tests for its deputies.

It is marketed as a "snapshot" of human immunity to COVID-19. But this is not without many problems.

On Tuesday, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office released a photo of Sheriff Calvin Hayden drawing blood. He demonstrated how the AditxtScore test works through a simple blood draw.

"But this test, as far as I know, I am by no means a doctor," he said. "It involves the level of T cells. When it recognizes, it will tell you whether your T cells produce antibodies to a virus. This will Tell you if it has an immune response to COVID-19."

But according to Anthony K. Voorhies, head of AdiTxtScore (the company that performed the test), AdiTxtScore can measure current COVID-19 antibodies in human blood. This number may change in two weeks, two months, or two years.

Hayden views the test results as a snapshot of information about a person's immunity.

"I think if we can provide information," he said, "and you can make an informed decision with your doctor, I think this is the right approach."

The test has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, nor has it received an emergency use authorization from the FDA-even though it was applied for more than six months ago. Voorhies pointed out that the test developed in the laboratory was co-developed at Stanford University.

"They are great for checking previous infections or previous vaccinations," explains Nick Bennett of the BCIDP, PhD. Bennett is a certified infectious disease pharmacist on the board of the St. Luke Health System. He spoke with KMBC through Zoom on Wednesday.

He said: "It does not guarantee whether you will be infected again."

Both Bennett and AdiTxtScore said that it is best to test at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine. Voorhies specifically recommends testing five weeks after the COVID-19 vaccine, when the antibodies are highest. Then, individuals can test in the next few months to see how their antibody count changes.

As Bennett explained, “Antibody testing is only suitable for checking the historical exposure of COVID-19 infection, or the antibodies produced by vaccination. Currently, the vaccine covers the main COVID-19 strains circulating in our community, and is truly effective We provide the best long-term protection."

Although Johnson County mandates vaccinations for its employees, Sheriff Hayden has publicly stated that he will not require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. He did tell KMBC that approximately 170 of his officers were infected with COVID-19.

Hayden said that the cost of each test was approximately $150 and was paid through the sheriff’s budget. If all 700 employees participated in a test, the cost would exceed $100,000.

Voorhies said that AditxtScore is useful for those who now want to know "what is my protection status?"

In a retail environment, the cost of this test is between US$175 and US$250, but it is not available in most retail stores. Sheriff Hayden said he heard about the product through the former Lieutenant Governor of Kansas, David Owen.

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