Varicella (Chickenpox) Titer Cost Comparison (2026)
The varicella titer test measures IgG antibodies to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), confirming immunity to chickenpox. It is required by nearly every nursing, medical, and allied health program in the United States before clinical rotations. Fewer online portals offer standalone varicella titers compared to Hep B or MMR, so understanding the available options is particularly useful. Prices here are verified from each provider's public website as of May 2026.
Key takeaways
- LabReqs has the lowest listed price at $49.99.
- Jason Health lists $58 — the $18 fee is already included in that price.
- Accesa Labs charges $59.
- Fewer providers offer a standalone varicella titer than Hep B or MMR — confirm availability before purchasing.
- The varicella IgG test has a known limitation: it may not reliably detect vaccine-induced immunity.
Our recommendation
- At standard prices, LabReqs ($49.99) is the lowest listed price for a standalone varicella titer and the most widely available option for this test.
- The student discount (code SCHOOL2026) lowers the price further, and LabReqs is the only listed service that accepts orders for patients under 18.
- If you also need Hep B and MMR, LabReqs' $139 immunity panel is almost always cheaper than ordering three individual tests elsewhere.
Why: LabReqs $49.99 standard vs. Jason Health $58 all-in and Accesa $59. Student discount code SCHOOL2026 reduces LabReqs further.
What the varicella titer measures
A varicella titer is a blood test that measures IgG (immunoglobulin G) antibodies to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) — the virus that causes chickenpox. Results are typically reported as an index value. Most laboratories use a threshold of index ≥ 1.10 as positive (immune), though the exact threshold varies by laboratory and kit.
| Index value | Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ 0.90 | Negative | No VZV IgG antibody detected — not immune |
| 0.91 – 1.09 | Equivocal | Borderline — generally treated as non-immune; revaccination recommended |
| ≥ 1.10 | Positive | VZV IgG antibody detected — immune |
Healthcare workers are required to document varicella immunity because chickenpox (and its reactivation as shingles) can be spread to immunocompromised patients who cannot receive live vaccines. For a full explanation of the test and results, see the Titer Testing Guide.
Price comparison table
All prices are from each provider's public website as of May 2026, sorted cheapest-first. The varicella IgG titer is an equivalent test across all portals.
| Provider | Listed price | Fees note | Est. total | Lab network | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LabReqs | $49.99 | None stated | ~$50 | LabCorp and other national networks | Quantitative measurement of Varicella-Zoster Virus (chickenpox) antibodies |
| Jason Health | $58.00 | $18 lab order fee included in listed price | ~$58 | Quest Diagnostics | Measures immunity to chickenpox (varicella) via VZV IgG antibody |
| Accesa Labs | $59.00 | None stated | ~$59 | Quest and LabCorp | IgG blood test checking for immunity to the varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox) |
| Walk-In Lab | $155.00 (panel) | None stated | ~$155 | LabCorp and Quest | Varicella included as part of Immunity Blood Test Panel (Hep B + MMR + Varicella). Standalone varicella price not listed separately. |
Prices gathered from each provider's public website, May 2026; confirm current totals before ordering.
Note on Walk-In Lab: Walk-In Lab does not appear to offer a standalone varicella titer — the $155 price is for the full immunity panel including Hep B, MMR, and Varicella. If you need all three titers, the panel may be good value; if you only need varicella, LabReqs ($49.99) or Jason Health ($58) are the more practical options.
Note on HealthLabs and DirectLabs: No standalone varicella titer was found in the available data for HealthLabs or DirectLabs at the time of this comparison.
Known limitation of the varicella titer
Commercial varicella IgG ELISA tests are reliable for detecting immunity from wild-type infection (actually having had chickenpox). However, these tests are not sensitive enough to reliably detect seroconversion after vaccination alone. The CDC notes that routine post-vaccination serologic testing is not recommended because of this limitation.
In practical terms: a person who received two doses of varicella vaccine as a child may test negative or equivocal on the titer — not because they are unprotected, but because the test is not sensitive enough to detect vaccine-induced antibodies at the level produced. The CDC's guidance for this situation is that documentation of a 2-dose varicella vaccine series supersedes a negative serology result and is considered sufficient proof of immunity.
If your nursing program or employer requires a titer and you receive a negative result despite documented vaccination, discuss this with your school health office — they may accept the vaccine documentation in lieu of the titer result.
Related comparisons
- MMR titer cost comparison
- Hepatitis B titer cost comparison
- Immunity panel (Hep B + MMR + Varicella) cost comparison
- Cheapest titer tests online (2026 roundup)
Frequently asked questions
Which provider is cheapest for a varicella titer?
LabReqs is the lowest listed price at $49.99. Jason Health is second at $58 all-in (the $18 fee is included). Accesa Labs charges $59. Walk-In Lab does not appear to offer a standalone varicella titer at the time this comparison was compiled.
What if my varicella titer comes back negative?
If you have no documented vaccination history, a non-immune result means you should receive a 2-dose Varivax series (4–8 weeks apart) and re-test 6–8 weeks after the second dose. If you already have documented 2-dose vaccine records, a negative titer may not require revaccination — per CDC guidance, the documented 2-dose series supersedes the negative serology. Check with your school or employer before deciding to revaccinate.
Is the varicella titer the same thing as a chickenpox test?
Yes. Varicella is the medical name for chickenpox. The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the pathogen that causes both chickenpox (primary infection) and shingles (reactivation later in life). The titer measures IgG antibodies to VZV to determine whether you are immune.
Sources
- CDC — Laboratory Testing for Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) — https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/php/laboratories/index.html
- CDC — Vaccination Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons (Form I-693) — https://www.cdc.gov/immigrant-refugee-health/hcp/civil-surgeons/vaccination.html
- Immunization Action Coalition — Ask the Experts: MMR — https://www.immunize.org/ask-experts/topic/mmr/
- Provider pricing sourced from each provider's public website, May 2026.