Having a negative titer after a vaccine might confuse some folks, as a vaccine should lead to immunity and a positive titer test.
Why Was My Titer Negative After My Chicken Pox Vaccine?
In the case of chicken pox, some folks will simply be confused about why you had a titer checked in the first place.
“There are currently no commercially available VZV IgG methods sensitive and specific enough to reliably detect seroconversion to vaccine.”
Chicken Pox – Interpreting Laboratory Tests
A chicken pox titer can help to confirm that you had a natural chicken pox infection, but it won’t confirm that someone has had the vaccine or that they have immunity after being vaccinated.
“In what circumstances should I obtain a varicella titer after vaccination?
Postvaccination serologic testing is not recommended in any group, including healthcare personnel.”
Ask the Experts About Chicken Pox
To satisfy school or work requirements, people should usually either have:
- documentation of two doses of the chicken pox vaccine, or
- titers to confirm that they have had a natural chicken pox infection
What if your titer is negative after a natural chicken pox infection?
Then you will likely have to get vaccinated.
You likely shouldn’t be required to have a titer done after you have had your chicken pox vaccines though.
More on Understanding Chicken Pox Titer Tests
- CDC – Chicken Pox – Interpreting Laboratory Tests
- Ask the Experts About Chicken Pox
- Immune response to varicella vaccine: infection versus vaccine response
- Titer and Vaccination Explanations – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY (it’ll save you time/$$)
- Satisfying the Varicella Requirement
- Study – Evaluation of laboratory methods for diagnosis of varicella.
- Study – Negative IgG Varicella Zoster Virus Antibody Status: Immune Responses Pre and Post Re-immunization
- Study – Use and limitations of varicella-zoster virus-specific serological testing to evaluate breakthrough disease in vaccinees and to screen for susceptibility to varicella.
- Study – Neonatal Antibody Titers Against Varicella-Zoster Virus in Relation to Gestational Age, Birth Weight, and Maternal Titer
When I was a child, I had chicken pox, I have a small scar on my forehead as a reminder. My question is this, when I went for employment as a nurse, my varicella titers were check and the lab came back not showing immunity, so I had to be vaccinated to start work. How is this possible?
I never had chicken pox as a child and got vaccinated as a child. later got an antibody test for work and didn’t have any antibodies for chicken pox. note that I’ve been exposed to chicken pox quite a few times and never showed signs of infection.