Many schools across the U.S. are providing testing to students, teachers and administrators including a number of schools that are beginning to use Abbott’s BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card.
We know parents, teachers and schools may have questions about testing. And we're here to help. Let's dig in.
What does it test for? Specific COVID-19 antigens (the proteins that make up the virus), which are the part of a virus that prompts an immune system response and signal an active infection.
Where is testing performed? The test is authorized for use at facilities operating under a CLIA certificate, which is a certification program administered by the federal government under the Clinical Laboratories Improvements Act (CLIA). Many school nurse’s offices maintain a CLIA certificate or may be partnering with a third party laboratory, which enables them to administer the BinaxNOW test.
How does it work? Using BinaxNOW is fast and easy. A healthcare professional — such as a school nurse or a retail pharmacy physician — uses a simple, less invasive nasal swab and in 15 minutes, the BinaxNOW card gives a result. One line: Negative. Two lines: Positive.
Then what? If your child has a negative test, they will likely be provided a paper or digital pass by their school they can use for a period of time set by school administrators. Those with positive results will be referred to their healthcare provider.
Want to learn more? More of your questions are answered here.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
The BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card has not been FDA cleared or approved. It has been authorized by the FDA under an emergency use authorization for use by authorized laboratories. The test has been authorized only for the detection of proteins from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens, and is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostic tests for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.
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