Immunity & Occupational Health Blood Tests in Plymouth
Whether you want to check your own immunity for peace of mind, need to prove your vaccination history for a new job, or want your protection sorted before you travel, we can help. Our Advanced Practitioners offer nine individual immunity and infection blood tests, from MMR and chickenpox to hepatitis and tetanus, with next working day results on most of them. Book the ones you need and we’ll take care of the rest in one appointment.
Why immunity testing matters
An immunity blood test simply checks whether your body already holds protective antibodies against a particular illness, either from a vaccine you’ve had or from catching the illness in the past. It’s a test of protection, not a test of illness, so it won’t diagnose anything or tell you whether you’re currently unwell.
People come to us for all sorts of reasons. If you’re planning a pregnancy, you’ll want to know you’re protected against rubella. If you work in healthcare or care, you may need documented proof of immunity before you can start a role. If you’re travelling somewhere with a higher risk of certain diseases, a test gives you reassurance before you go. It’s also common for people starting immunosuppressant medication, or anyone who has lost their vaccination records or simply can’t remember what they had as a child, to want a clear answer rather than relying on memory.
Important: these tests tell us whether you’re protected. A positive antibody result means you’re immune. It doesn’t mean you currently have, or have ever had, the illness itself.
What this test measures
Each test uses a single blood sample from one yellow tube, processed by our UKAS-accredited laboratory. There’s no need to fast beforehand for any of these tests.
| Test | What it checks | Turnaround | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis B Surface Antibody | Immunity to Hepatitis B following vaccination | Next working day | £60 |
| Rubella IgG | Immunity to rubella (German measles) | Next working day | £79 |
| Measles IgG | Immunity to measles | Next working day | £82 |
| Mumps IgG | Immunity to mumps | Next working day | £82 |
| Varicella (Chickenpox) IgG | Immunity to chickenpox / varicella zoster | Next working day | £82 |
| Hepatitis A IgG/IgM | Immunity to, or recent exposure to, Hepatitis A | Next working day | £89 |
| MMR Immunity (combined) | Measles, mumps & rubella, all three in one draw | Next working day | £111 |
| Tetanus IgG | Immunity to tetanus | 5 working days | £114 |
| Diphtheria Antibodies | Immunity to diphtheria | Approx. 1.5 weeks | £114 |
Money-saving tip: if you need to check all three MMR immunities, it’s better value to book the combined MMR test at £111 than to book Measles, Mumps and Rubella separately, which comes to £243 in total. You’ll get all three results from the same blood draw.
Please note: Tetanus and Diphtheria antibody tests take a little longer to come back than the others on this page, around 5 working days for Tetanus and up to about a week and a half for Diphtheria (results are sometimes back sooner). If you’re working to an occupational health deadline, it’s worth booking these early.
Who should get this test?
This page really covers two groups of people: those checking their own immunity for personal reasons, and those who need documented proof for work.
General patients
- Women planning pregnancy, since rubella immunity is critical, as infection during pregnancy can cause serious harm to the baby
- Anyone uncertain about their vaccination history
- People with lost or incomplete vaccination records
- Those about to start immunosuppressant medication
- Travellers heading to higher-risk regions
Occupational health & employers
- Healthcare workers, NHS and private
- Care home and residential setting staff
- School and childcare workers
- Food industry workers (Hepatitis A)
- Overseas workers and expats
Need to screen multiple members of staff? We can accommodate group bookings, just email hello@tamarhealth.com to discuss.
What your results mean
For most tests on this page, a positive IgG result means you’re immune. If a result comes back negative or low, it means you’re not currently protected, and a booster may be worth discussing. This can usually be arranged through your GP surgery, or you’re welcome to talk it through with one of our Advanced Practitioners. Some results come back borderline, or equivocal, in which case our clinical team will advise you on the best next step.
What happens at your appointment
Book online and choose the test or tests you need. A £25 appointment fee is taken at booking to secure your slot. When you come in to Tor Clinical Rooms in Estover, one of our phlebotomists will take your sample, usually in under five minutes from a single tube. There’s no fasting or special preparation needed. You’ll pay the remaining balance in clinic, and once your results are back, one of our Advanced Practitioners reviews them and sends you a clear summary by email.
How the timeline works: your sample is taken and posted to the lab on the same day. It usually arrives the next morning, and results are most often reported later that same day, though occasionally this rolls over to the following morning.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a GP referral or employer letter?
No, you don’t need a referral or letter to book any of these tests with us. If your employer has asked for specific tests, just let us know when booking so we can make sure we cover everything required.
Will my results be accepted by my employer or NHS trust?
Our results are provided in a clear, professional format suitable for occupational health departments and employers. We’d always recommend checking with your employer or trust in advance to confirm exactly which tests they require, as requirements can vary.
What if I’m not immune? What do I do next?
If your results show you’re not immune to something, a booster can usually be arranged through your GP surgery. We’re also happy to talk you through your results, and what we’d suggest, if you’d like to book a follow-up with one of our Advanced Practitioners.
Can I combine immunity tests with other blood tests in the same appointment?
In most cases, yes. Let us know what you need when you book and we’ll do our best to combine tests into a single visit and blood draw.
Why is the MMR combined test cheaper than booking separately?
The combined MMR test uses the same blood draw to check all three antibodies at once, so you save on the cost of three separate individual tests. That’s £111 combined, versus £243 if you booked Measles, Mumps and Rubella separately.
You may also be interested in
Book your immunity blood test in Plymouth
From £77 all-inclusive. Results next working day on most tests. No GP referral needed.
Book now Contact us