Research and analysis
Testing for COVID-19 using saliva: case studies in vulnerable settings
Results of pilots carried out to assess the value of saliva sampling for coronavirus (COVID-19) testing.
Applies to England
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This report summarises the findings of 3 pilot studies, carried out prior to the widespread vaccine rollout in 2021, in which saliva samples were collected as an alternative to swab samples.
The findings from this user acceptance pilot in 3 different settings are insufficient to make a recommendation for widespread adoption of saliva-based testing. They suggest that whilst saliva testing was, for some, preferable to swab testing, it did not increase testing uptake.
Feedback from the pilot participants suggest the majority of those who took part in the pilot and tested with saliva would have anyway tested with swabs instead.