Covid-19 antibody testing event coming back to the Rockaways this month

Due to popular demand, State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. is once again bringing a COVID-19 antibody testing event to the Rockaway peninsula later this month.

On Friday, October 22, Addabbo is partnering with local medical facility Valhalla Medics and the Wave newspaper to bring this event back to Beach 129^th Street. The event will run from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and will be held outside of the Wave’s office, located at 438 Beach 129th Street, in Belle Harbor.

Addabbo’s last antibody testing event in September brought Valhalla Medics to Woodhaven where more than 60 people came out to check their COVID-19 antibodies.

“I am thrilled to see this event become one of my most popular events of the year,” Addabbo said. “The last time we were here on Beach 129^th Street, over 100 people came down to get the free test and find out if they have the COVID-19 antibodies. We hope to replicate that success and get more people tested.”

The test that will be given is a rapid IgG/IgM antibody test, which is done using a nearly painless finger prick to draw a small bead of blood that is transferred for processing. After about a 10-minute wait, patients are given a form with a write up of their results that is signed by the technician that performed the test. These IgG/IgM tests can detect and differentiate between the presence of the short term (IgM) and the long-term (IgG) antibodies.

It is important to get an antibody test, even after being vaccinated because: 

• It can show antibodies from the COVID-19 vaccine; 
• It can show antibodies to determine if you had the virus in the past; 
• It can show a current infection of COVID-19; 
• Data has shown that even if you are vaccinated, there is a small chance that you can still contract COVID-19 and spread it to others. 
   

Valhalla Medics will be providing free giveaways for all those who come down to get the free antibody test. 

No insurance is necessary to take part in the testing event. Anyone who wishes to take part in the event and get their free rapid antibody test is urged to register by calling Addabbo’s office at 718-738-1111 to secure a spot. Walk-ups will also be welcomed. 

“I encourage anyone who is interested in taking part in this event to call my office to register,” Addabbo added. “I want to thank Valhalla Medics for again partnering with my office to bring this free event to the community, as well as the Wave for inviting us back to use their space again.”