Sumpter Pharmacy in Adel recently rolled out a first in the state program of antibody testing for COVID-19.

Owner Leslie Herron notes that the testing is different from normal coronavirus tests, starting with the fact it’s done with just a prick of the finger and blood sample. However, it’s also different in that it’s not to be used to find out if a person currently has the virus, but rather if the person has the immune response in their system due to having it or being exposed at any time during the pandemic. Herron also emphasizes that the test won’t tell if a patient is immune to COVID-19, as it’s currently unknown if people can gain full immunity to the virus.

Tests must be scheduled by appointment, and take just a few minutes to conduct and find out the results. All antibody tests are sent to the Iowa Department of Public Health for further examination, and to help healthcare professionals better understand the virus. The test costs between $95-$120 per person and they’re currently not covered by most insurance, though you can pay using a Health Savings Account (HSA) and are eligible for reimbursement from your provider. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Sumpter Pharmacy by phone at 515-993-1119 or by email at sumpterpharm@gmail.com.