OREANDA-NEWS. When deciding whether to vaccinate against coronavirus, do not rely on a test result showing the level of protective antibodies. This was stated in an interview with RBC by the official representative of the World Health Organization in Russia Melita Vuinovich.

To accurately assess immunity, she said, requires sophisticated laboratories and different scientific levels. An antibody test will be positive even if the disease is asymptomatic, so its results should not affect whether a person will be vaccinated or not. Such studies are intended more for scientific purposes, the specialist explained.

"The presence of certain antibodies in 'conventional tests' usually does not indicate whether they are neutralizing antibodies, that is, whether they can stop the virus, therefore WHO does not recommend this type of test," added Vujnovic.

The representative of WHO stressed that the organization considers vaccination as the most effective way to achieve individual and herd immunity.

Due to the complex epidemiological situation, 23 Russian regions have introduced compulsory immunization of the population or certain groups of citizens. In total, three drugs are available in Russia: Sputnik V (NF Gamaleya NITsEM), EpiVacCorona (Vector Center of Rospotrebnadzor) and KoviVak (Chumakov Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences). Sputnik Light, a one-component version of Sputnik, is recommended for revaccination.