CORONAVIRUS —
V-CHEK COVID-19 ANTIGEN SALIVA TEST
534. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I refer to the state government's
free RAT kit distribution program.
(1) Is the
government aware that a significant number of community members have
experienced the V-Chek RAT kit to be inaccurate or unreliable?
(2) Is it
possible that community members are not using the V-Chek RAT kits correctly,
thus resulting in a significant number of false negative tests?
(3) Will the
government consider a mass communication campaign to better educate the
community on the most effective use of the V-Chek RAT kits?
(4) If no to (3),
why not?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
(1)–(2) All
rapid antigen tests supplied in WA are approved for use by the Therapeutic
Goods Administration and must have a sensitivity of 80 per cent or above.
If administered appropriately, the
V-Chek COVID-19 antigen saliva test has a very high sensitivity, with it
approved by the TGA as having clinical sensitivity greater than 95 per cent.
All V-Chek COVID-19 antigen saliva
tests come with instructions as to how to accurately administer the test.
People are encouraged to refer to this information when using the tests.
(3) Information
relating to how to administer RAT tests, including FAQs and videos, are
available from the HealthyWA website.
(4) Not applicable.