In this section
- How to take part in the study
- How do I sign up if I cannot use the phone?
- Why you should take part in the study
- How you have been selected for the study
- Who can take part in the study
- Taking part if you have been vaccinated against COVID-19
- How to access the questionnaire
- Withdrawing from the study
- Payment for taking part
- Receiving your voucher
- Do I have to receive a voucher?
- Spending your voucher
1. How to take part in the study
You will receive a letter from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) if you are invited to register and take part. To take part, you will need to register with IQVIA; this is the company collecting data on behalf of the ONS and the University of Oxford.
To register, call IQVIA on the number included in your letter. You will also need to provide your household identification (ID); you will find this in the top right-hand corner of your letter. Your reference number starts with three letters, for example “COV”. Once you have had any questions you have answered, and if you agree to join the survey, we will send you a reminder about how to complete each testing window, and a copy of your consent form.
Everyone in your home who would like to take part should, ideally, be available when you call to register. If someone who wants to take part cannot be available when you call us, they will have seven days after this to call themselves. If they do not call us within seven days, they will not be able to take part.
Taking part will not affect the medical care you receive, and there is no effect on any regular medication or other prescribed or over-the-counter medicines you might be taking.
Your participation is entirely voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time without providing a reason. Everyone in the household can make a different choice – it is not necessary for everyone to do the same. Parents or carers may also withdraw their child from the study at any time without giving a reason.
Back to table of contents2. How do I sign up if I cannot use the phone?
If you are unable to use the telephone, you can contact IQVIA by email at iqvia.covid19survey@nhs.net to register. You will need to provide your household identification (ID) in your email; you will find this in the top right-hand corner of your letter. Your reference number starts with the letters “COV”.
Back to table of contents3. Why you should take part in the study
This is your chance to be involved in a unique study that will allow scientists to understand who has been infected with coronavirus (COVID-19), even if they have not realised it at the time. This is particularly important as more people are vaccinated against COVID-19 and more people get COVID-19. We need to continue to monitor how vaccinations and having had COVID-19 before affects our risk of getting COVID-19 in the future – and work out who might need vaccinating in the future. The information we get from people like you taking part in the survey will help scientists and the government guide the continued response to COVID-19.
Back to table of contents4. How you have been selected for the study
You may have been contacted because you:
are currently taking part in the Labour Force Survey; it is also really important to us that you continue to take part in that study
have recently taken part in one of our online studies
have been randomly selected from a database of addresses
have taken part in a survey conducted by NISRA (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency)
Currently over 370,000 people from more than 220,000 homes across the UK are taking part in the study.
Back to table of contents5. Who can take part in the study
Any current resident in the household aged two years and older can take part in this study. The only exception is adults who are not able to consent for themselves.
By “current resident”, we mean a person who typically stays overnight in the household address at least four nights out of seven.
A “household” is defined as:
one person living alone
a group of people (not necessarily related) living at the same address who share cooking facilities and share a living room or sitting room or dining area
It is also fine to take part if you are involved in other research studies.
Back to table of contents6. Taking part if you have been vaccinated against COVID-19
Everyone in the study can receive a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination when they are eligible to do so – if your healthcare provider asks questions about the study, you can show them this letter (PDF, 64.7KB).
People who have received a COVID-19 vaccination can stay in the study – and it is extremely important that they do so, as long as they are willing. The study will help us monitor how well the vaccine works in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
Back to table of contents7. How to access the questionnaire
The questionnaire link or telephone contact number will be in the materials emailed or posted to you. However, if you are unable to retrieve this, the questionnaire can be accessed by the following link: www.covidsurvey.ons.gov.uk or telephone number 0800 085 6807.
You will need your participant identification (ID) to login.
Back to table of contents8. Withdrawing from the study
Your participation is entirely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without explanation.
Having coronavirus (COVID-19) does not mean you have to withdraw or miss a testing window. If you think or know that you have COVID-19, it is still really important that you take part.
If your tests have already been completed when you change your mind, we will still use the data from them. But if you no longer wish for any leftover blood to be stored, we will destroy it.
You can also decide if you do not want us to get any more information about you from the NHS if you leave the study.
Back to table of contents9. Payment for taking part
As a thank you for taking part, everyone taking part in the study, including children, will receive a voucher if they would like one.
The amount received for each completed testing window is the same for everyone taking part. The amount does not vary if you are invited to give swab samples only or both swab and blood samples.
Everyone who completes their testing window will be offered one £20 voucher. You will need to both fully complete the questionnaire, and take a sample in the testing window, to receive the voucher.
Please note we will never ask for your bank details, the vouchers will only ever be issued by email or in some cases by post.
Back to table of contents10. Receiving your voucher
An email will be sent within 20 working days of each completed testing window with instructions on how to redeem your voucher.
We will send your voucher link from the email address: noresponse@vouchers.sodexoengage.com. Please always check your junk or spam folder by searching for emails from this address.
The voucher link will mean with one click you are immediately able to choose your retailer voucher. You will not have to enter a cheque number and validation code on a website. If you have not received your voucher within 20 working days, please email customersupport@sodexoengage.com.
Back to table of contents11. Do I have to receive a voucher?
It is your choice. Participants can choose not to receive vouchers, if they prefer.
Back to table of contents12. Spending your voucher
The voucher codes will be valid for three months from the date you receive the email. Once redeemed, the voucher for the specific retailer of your choice will be valid for much longer. For more information on how to redeem your voucher, please see this video guide.
Redeeming or using your voucher
Vouchers are sent from this email address: noresponse@vouchers.sodexoengage.com
If you have not received your voucher following your latest testing window, please check the following email folders:
junk
spam
deleted
trash
archive
You can also search your inbox using the sender’s email address
noresponse@vouchers.sodexoengage.com
Search for the phrase “You’ve been awarded a voucher.”
Please see the following for further information on how to redeem your vouchers:
how to redeem your voucher if you are a household (PDF, 538KB)
how to redeem your voucher if you are an individual (PDF, 508KB)
If you would like help redeeming or using the voucher you can also email the voucher supplier directly: customersupport@sodexoengage.com.
Donating your voucher to charity or the NHS
Unfortunately For Good Causes Charity have advised that they can no longer offer the option to purchase eVouchers to donate to charities, which means the eVoucher will no longer be available to purchase. This means there is no current option available to donate to charity. We are sorry for this and are working with our suppliers to identify a replacement option.
Requesting a physical alternative
You can choose to receive a physical gift card instead of an online voucher. Physical vouchers will be posted and fulfilled within 20 working days of your visit date.
If you still wish to receive a physical gift card, please get in touch by emailing COVID-19@ons.gov.uk.
Information on where you can spend a physical gift card.
If you still have questions
Please ensure you have read each paragraph in this section.
If your question was not answered, email us at COVID-19@ons.gov.uk. Be sure to include your details (phone number and “COV” number) so we can support you more efficiently.
Retailers
Both online and in-store vouchers are currently available for the following retailers. Please note these are subject to change at short notice.
Retailer
adidas
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Airbnb
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
AirlineGift
Partnered with
TripGift
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
All Bar One
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Argos
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Arsenal F.C.
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
ASDA
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
ASK Italian
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
ASOS
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
B&Q
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Bella Italia
Partnered with
The Restaurant Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Blackwells
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Bloom & Wild
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Boohoo
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
BoohooMAN
Partnered with
Boohoo
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Browns
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Burton
Partnered with
Boohoo
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Butlins by Inspire
Partnered with
Inspire Travel
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Buyagift
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Café Rouge
Partnered with
The Restaurant Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Caffè Nero
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Chef & Brewer
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Cineworld
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Clarks
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Costa
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Cote
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Crown Carveries
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Currys
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Decathlon
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Deliveroo
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Digiigifts
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Dorothy Perkins
Partnered with
Boohoo
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Eating Inn
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
eLearnGift
Partnered with
TripGift
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Ember Inns
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Ernest Jones
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Eurostar
Partnered with
None
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Farmhouse Inns
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Fayre & Square
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Flaming Grill
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Flightgiftcard
Partnered with
None
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
FlystayGift
Partnered with
TripGift
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Foot Locker
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Global Experiences
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Good Hotel Card
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Good Night Inns
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Google Play
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Great British Pub Card
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Greene King
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
H&M
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
H. Samuel
Partnered with
Ernest Jones
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Habitat
Partnered with
Argos
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Halfords
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Harvester
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Harvey Nichols
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Healthy Minds Club
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
HomeSense
Partnered with
TK Maxx
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Hotelgift
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Hotels.com
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
HotelsGift
Partnered with
TripGift
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Hungry Horse
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Hussle
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Iceland
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Innkeeper's Lodge
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Inspire Travel
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Inspire UK Staycation
Partnered with
Inspire Travel
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
iTunes
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Jet 2 Holidays by Inspire
Partnered with
Inspire Travel
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
John Lewis & Partners
Partnered with
Waitrose
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
JoJo Maman Bébé
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Just Eat
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Laithwaite's
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Las Iguanas
Partnered with
The Restaurant Card
Where to spend
Instore
Retailer
lastminute.com
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Lavish Spa & Beauty
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Loch Fyne
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
London Theatre Direct
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
MANGO
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Marks and Spencer
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Marks and Spencer Food Hall
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Miller and Carter
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Morrisons
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Naked Wines
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Nando's
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
NastyGal
Partnered with
Boohoo
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
National Book Tokens
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
National Trust
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
New Look
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Nicholsons
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Nike
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Not On The High Street
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Old English
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
O'Neill's
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Photobox
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Pizza Express
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Pizza Hut Restaurants
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Primark
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Red Letter Days
Partnered with
Buyagift
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
RentacarGift
Partnered with
TripGift
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
River Island
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Royal Caribbean by Inspire
Partnered with
Inspire Travel
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Sainsbury's
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Sizzling Pubs
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Sports Direct
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Stonehouse
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Swarovski
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Ted Baker
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Tesco
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
The Body Shop
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
The Charity Shop Gift Card
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
The Dining Out Card
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
The Entertainer
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
The Restaurant Card
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Spotify
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
The White Company
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Theatre Tokens
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Ticketmaster
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
TK Maxx
Partnered with
Homesense
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Toby Carvery
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Totally Well
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
TripGift
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
TUI by Inspire
Partnered with
Inspire Travel
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Uber
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Uber Eats
Partnered with
Uber
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Vintage Inns
Partnered with
The Dining Out Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Virgin
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Virgin Experience
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Wacky Warehouse
Partnered with
Great British Pub Card
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Wagamama
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Retailer
Waitrose
Partnered with
John Lewis
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Wellness Card
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online and in-store
Retailer
Wingly
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Xbox
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Zalando
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
Online
Retailer
Zizzi
Partnered with
No one
Where to spend
In-store
Back to table of contents