COVID-19 antibody testing is becoming more popular, but physicians caution the utility of the test is limited to determining past infection.

Several labs that handle the more common “PCR” testing for COVID-19 say patients are asking for the test, in part to answer questions about whether the vaccine is giving them as much immunity as they need.

The FDA's stance on vaccine booster shots is based on studies that show effectiveness of vaccine can wear off with time.

The more common test for COVID-19, with a nasal swab, checks for an active infection, while the antibody test can gauge the strength of antibodies developed after an infection, or taking the vaccine. The Tulsa Health Department strongly encourages vaccination as the safest and surest way to develop antibodies that can improve outcomes from a new infection.

Axis Health in Bixby is one of the clinics now offering antibody testing in addition to standard COVID-19 testing.

“Whether they’ve had it in the past or recently, we’re able to detect the percentage of antibodies in their system,” said Krista N’Gom, with Axis Health.

N’Gom said most private insurance covers the cost of the test, and for uninsured people, the federal CARES Act does.

Physicians at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, where the test is also offered, caution the test results do not confirm immunity against future infections.

The Tulsa Health Department strongly recommends vaccine to create and build antibodies.

“We're kind of looking at a combination of vaccinated individuals and people who have been infected, who have natural antibodies,” said Dr. Bruce Dart, the Director of the Tulsa Health Department. “And we're trying to get the rate over 80% in our county, and if we reach 80% of people with either vaccinated, or natural immunity, it's a natural barrier to infection so the virus can't jump host to host.”

Earlier this year, the Oklahoma Blood Institute was testing every donor for antibodies, so they could donate convalescent plasma, but that was before lab created antibodies were widely available. Those are more commonly used now as therapy for covid patients.

The COVID-19 antibody test is also available at some pharmacies, and for patients paying cash, the cost is as low as $38.