The CLSA COVID-19 Antibody Study collects and analyzes blood samples from more than 19,000 CLSA participants in 10 provinces. Study participants also complete a questionnaire, either by phone or online, that collects information about symptoms, risk factors, health-care use and the psychosocial and economic impacts of COVID-19.

CLSA participants are invited to take part in one of two ways:

• Providing a blood sample at a CLSA Data Collection Site
• Providing a blood sample from your finger at home, using a self-collection kit

Antibody testing involves analysing blood samples to determine if a person has been previously infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Participants provide a blood sample that will be analyzed for the presence of COVID-19 antibodies and other markers of immunity.

The CLSA COVID-19 Antibody study is being conducted in partnership with the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Immunity Task Force. The mandate of this task force is to describe how widespread the coronavirus infection is in Canada.