Second Nationwide Antibody Study “Living in Germany – Corona Monitoring” (RKI-SOEP-2)

How many people have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 or are protected from severe COVID-19 disease by vaccination? How widespread are SARS-CoV-2 antibodies? What percentage of the population is willing to get vaccinated? How is the pandemic affecting specific population groups such as refugees?

As part of RKI-SOEP-2, participants in the Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) study were asked to take a dry blood spot test and complete a short questionnaire. The dry blood spot test allows researchers to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, whether due to recovery from COVID-19 infection or vaccination. The survey data will be used to assess vaccination willingness in the population and to determine what may factors be stopping people from getting vaccinated.

The Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) and the Robert Koch Institute are working together on this study. Other cooperation partners include the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) and the Research Centre of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). Fieldwork for this study is being conducted by the infas Institute for Applied Social Sciences on behalf of DIW Berlin.