Around 94 per cent of adults in England likely to have Covid-19 antibodies, says ONS

4 August 2021, 11:10

Nine in 10 adults across the UK are likely to have antibodies.
Nine in 10 adults across the UK are likely to have antibodies. Picture: Alamy

By Emma Soteriou

Around 94 per cent of England's adult population are likely to have Covid-19 antibodies, a study from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has shown.

It was estimated that 93.6 per cent would test positive for the antibodies in the week beginning 12 July, suggesting people have either had the infection in the past or been vaccinated.

It comes after government figures showed that there had been a significant drop in reported Covid cases in recent weeks.

There were 21,691 lab-confirmed Covid cases recorded across the UK on Tuesday, along with 138 deaths within 28 days of an individual testing positive.

There have since been calls for children aged 16 and above to get the vaccine, which would help them build antibodies against the virus.

Universities Minister Michelle Donelan told LBC on Wednesday that advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation would give their advice on the matter "imminently".

Read more: Covid vaccines: Healthy 16 and 17-year-olds set to be allowed first doses

Read more: Covid infection rates three times lower for double jabbed people – study

Virologist says we should vaccinate from age 12 and up

High levels of antibodies were also likely to be evident in adults across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, according to the ONS.

Nine in 10 people across each country were estimated to test positive for the antibodies during the same time period.

The ONS said the results showed a clear pattern between vaccination and testing positive for antibodies.

However, their presence is not a precise measure of the immunity protection given by vaccination.

The population used for the survey only referred to private residential households, excluding those in hospitals and care homes.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Former advisor to President Putin told LBC ‘Ukrainians will be thankful after we liberate them'.

Putin ally suggests Ukrainians should be 'thankful' nation is being 'bombed to bits'

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Arrest warrants issued for four people as North Macedonia nightclub fire death toll rises to 59

Newcombe Road, Coventry.

One man dead and another left with 'potentially life-changing facial injuries' following Coventry double stabbing

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Alice da Silva Aguiar was one of the three children killed.

Commemorative playground to be built in primary school in honour of Southport victims

Foreign Office staff enjoyed the Nassau Yacht Club in Barbados, in January 2023, spending £920.

Civil servants splurge on Barbados yacht club trip with taxpayer-backed credit card

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who mock Sarah Everard and called rape victim a ‘slut’

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who 'mocked Sarah Everard' and called rape victim a ‘slut’

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

FILE - Britain's Prince Harry leaves after attending an Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Bombshell US court ruling orders Prince Harry's visa application files be made public by Tuesday

This image made from video by NASA shows astronauts waving after the SpaceX capsule docked with the International Space Station, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Top row from left: Nick Hague, Alexander Gorbunov, Suni Williams, Alexei Ovchinin.

Over the moon: SpaceX capsule docks with ISS as stranded NASA astronauts welcome replacement crew

F1 Grand Prix Of Australia

Lando Norris wins a wet Australian Grand Prix despite last minute charge from Max Verstappen

Disabled people to be given right to try working without risk of losing benefits in welfare reforms.

Disabled people to be given 'right to try' work without risk of losing benefits

Britain's Prince William, Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), and Kate, the Princess of Wales, Patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), pose for a photo with Leif Thobroe

Royal split: William and Kate cheer on rival sides at Wales take on England in Six Nations clash

Wes Streeting MP - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care - in Downing Street 12th March 2025 - the day before NHS England was abolished.

Scrapping NHS England is ‘beginning, not the end’ says Streeting, vowing to cut hundreds of quangos

A view of the pollution caused by garbage and various wastes following the thousands of Palestinians displaced under the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel have returned to the northern Gaza Strip in Jabalia, Gaza on March 13, 2025.

US rejects Hamas’s ‘entirely impractical’ demands to implement ceasefire as talks reach impasse

Antoine Dupont and Gregory Alldritt of France lift the Six Nations Trophy after their team's victory during the Guinness Six Nations 2025 match between France and Scotland at Stade de France

France win Six Nations after beating Scotland, shattering England title hopes