We are all hearing about friends and family members who are “up-to-date” with the COVID-19 vaccine and still become infected with COVID-19. So, what’s the deal? You roll up your sleeve, get boosted, and yet still become sick? Hardly seems fair right?

Well, thanks to some friendly researchers, we may soon have a way to accurately measure the effectiveness of our immune system against the virus that we have all known to love. Not to get too deep in the weeds, the blood test that is being researched (dqTACT), requires a blood sample to be obtained, and “peptides” are added to the sample. Over a 24-hour period, lab technicians look for T-cell activity in the sample and if there is no T-cell reaction within 24 hours, the test is negative.  Remember, T-cells “remember” viruses and fight them off, so T-cells are really important, no T-cells, no immunity!

The researchers tested dqTACT against traditional laboratory testing in 91 people and the results were validated. The test also predicts immune strength up to 8 months following the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This is great news and promising especially for those who are immunocompromised! Keep an eye on this new and exciting research! Stay the course, stay well, and stay tuned!