Switch Rapid Antigen travel to US question

[Madame]

re: Switch Health tests not working, I can only speak from our experience and all went off without a hitch. A wonderful, easy, stress-free, in-home/hotel, speedy option. I see the posted Twitter thread about test kits with expiry dates in early 2022 but, that doesn't mean they don't work. Are there truly a lot of reports of them not working? That would be worrisome, for sure but, as I said, speak as I found - they were perfect for us.

A previous poster asked if they had an expiry, not if they worked.

 

[gisele2]

Worked well for me too. Do you know if we can purchase antigen test for home? Some with no supervision?

 

[wdwmom3]

re: Switch Health tests not working, I can only speak from our experience and all went off without a hitch. A wonderful, easy, stress-free, in-home/hotel, speedy option. I see the posted Twitter thread about test kits with expiry dates in early 2022 but, that doesn't mean they don't work. Are there truly a lot of reports of them not working? That would be worrisome, for sure but, as I said, speak as I found - they were perfect for us.

I have seen some. But again people will make negative comments on things like Facebook and Twitter more then positive. Also who knows if people followed instructions correctly.

That’s why I bought them. But will have a back up just in case something happens. More to ease my anxiety then anything else.

 

[thenicefamily]

A previous poster asked if they had an expiry, not if they worked.

AZRIVEST - "I was on their mailing list too, but after reading all those stories about the tests not working, I'm on the fence."

I was responding to the comment saying they'd read "all those storeies about the tests not working". Not to the one regarding expiry.

 

[thenicefamily]

Worked well for me too. Do you know if we can purchase antigen test for home? Some with no supervision?

We purchased 4 antigen tests in 2 kits, plus 4 LAMPS. Both needed to be supervised while taking them but, it's a really simple process and the antigen, from start (scanning the QR code on your test then logging in to Switch) to finish (receiving your official e-mail confirming your result - hopefully negative!) took a total of 22 minutes and 15 of those were just waiting the requisite 15 before sending in a pic of your test results. Our results were crystal clear in about 90-seconds so, really, could have completed all in well under 10-minutes.

The LAMP tests were pretty much same process (scan, connect with supervisor, swab, insert test in holder and wait) but, different "hardware" and a longer wait. Still, at around 55 minutes total, WELL under what it would have taken us to organize test appointments, take Ubers to free drive-throughs then wait a nerve-wracking 48-hours+ for results. 55 minutes vs.....upwards of 2.5 days? I'll choose Switch Health every time for as long as needs be.

 

[wdwmom3]

We purchased 4 antigen tests in 2 kits, plus 4 LAMPS. Both needed to be supervised while taking them but, it's a really simple process and the antigen, from start (scanning the QR code on your test then logging in to Switch) to finish (receiving your official e-mail confirming your result - hopefully negative!) took a total of 22 minutes and 15 of those were just waiting the requisite 15 before sending in a pic of your test results. Our results were crystal clear in about 90-seconds so, really, could have completed all in well under 10-minutes.

The LAMP tests were pretty much same process (scan, connect with supervisor, swab, insert test in holder and wait) but, different "hardware" and a longer wait. Still, at around 55 minutes total, WELL under what it would have taken us to organize test appointments, take Ubers to free drive-throughs then wait a nerve-wracking 48-hours+ for results. 55 minutes vs.....upwards of 2.5 days? I'll choose Switch Health every time for as long as needs be.

This is what I’m hoping for.

 

[Madame]

AZRIVEST - "I was on their mailing list too, but after reading all those stories about the tests not working, I'm on the fence."

I was responding to the comment saying they'd read "all those storeies about the tests not working". Not to the one regarding expiry.

I get it. It worked out for you. There was a thread full of people on Twitter for whom the tests didn’t work/were defective for whatever reason. Buyers can make their own decisions, but an informed decision is best.

 

[Madame]

We purchased 4 antigen tests in 2 kits, plus 4 LAMPS. Both needed to be supervised while taking them but, it's a really simple process and the antigen, from start (scanning the QR code on your test then logging in to Switch) to finish (receiving your official e-mail confirming your result - hopefully negative!) took a total of 22 minutes and 15 of those were just waiting the requisite 15 before sending in a pic of your test results. Our results were crystal clear in about 90-seconds so, really, could have completed all in well under 10-minutes.

The LAMP tests were pretty much same process (scan, connect with supervisor, swab, insert test in holder and wait) but, different "hardware" and a longer wait. Still, at around 55 minutes total, WELL under what it would have taken us to organize test appointments, take Ubers to free drive-throughs then wait a nerve-wracking 48-hours+ for results. 55 minutes vs.....upwards of 2.5 days? I'll choose Switch Health every time for as long as needs be.

The Walgreens’ tests do not take 2.5 days to return. Did you travel to WDW or DL? Finding fast efficient testing in CA is not like FL.

 

[Starwind]

Worked well for me too. Do you know if we can purchase antigen test for home? Some with no supervision?

I just purchased UNSUPERVISED rapid antigen tests kits from Canadian Shield ( https://www.canadianshieldppe.ca/pages/rapid-tests ). They have not arrived yet and I therefore haven't used them yet, so can't speak to that part of the transaction If you browse their site they sell other models, too, in bulk (25+ tests). Note: only available for purchase in Ontario, Alberta & British Columbia.

We wanted them for occasional testing at home (such as when having guests/visiting others) and as a peace of mind pre-test before official testing for travel. They are NOT valid for any actual government travel or other official testing requirements.

SW

 

[azrivest]

... aaaand unsurprisingly the tests are back out of stock again. We'll try to get the next batch

@wdwmom3 I'd really appreciate your feedback once you receive your tests! My husband and I are pretty convinced to order them now, with Walgreens as a backup.

 

[wdwmom3]

... aaaand unsurprisingly the tests are back out of stock again. We'll try to get the next batch

@wdwmom3 I'd really appreciate your feedback once you receive your tests! My husband and I are pretty convinced to order them now, with Walgreens as a backup.

I just got notification that they shipped. Our trip isn’t until the end of February. So we won’t be able to give any feedback until then.

 

[wdwmom3]

For anyone who is wondering about expiry dates. I just got the LAMP tests I ordered. And they good until either December 7, 2022, or July 12, 2022, depending on how they record the date (dd/mm/yyyy vs mm/dd/yyyy).

 

[azrivest]

Wow that was fast

Thanks that was the feedback I was looking for

 

[wdwmom3]

Wow that was fast

Thanks that was the feedback I was looking for

Seeing how the expiry date was written with all numbers, I’m also kind of wondering if people who said they got expired tests read the date wrong?

 

[boogienights]

Just read this....

 

[wdwmom3]

Just read this....View attachment 629395

That’s good to read. I’m going to have a rapid PCR booked as a backup in case any of our tests don’t work. Glad to hear we will get refunded without a fight if it’s defective.

 

[trompettecon]

Just ordered my Antigen tests from Switch Health. Will let you know on the 2nd how well it went. Booked with Beeper MD for the return trip. 5 PCR tests for $75 U.S. and the tester comes to the hotel.

 

[wdwmom3]

Just ordered my Antigen tests from Switch Health. Will let you know on the 2nd how well it went. Booked with Beeper MD for the return trip. 5 PCR tests for $75 U.S. and the tester comes to the hotel.

There have been many reports of BeeperMD not being reliable. There have been cases where the testers are a no show. And others where the tester shows up later then they were supposed to. I would have a back up planned in case that happens to you.

 

[Madame]

Lamp tests are back in stock if anyone was looking. I’m still on the waitlist I guess.

 

[azrivest]

Just pulled the trigger on tests for the 4 of us for March Break

That 596$ bill is a doozy... We're paying for ease, let's hope they all work