Question re: vaccinations

[TaniaG 0]

Hello all -

My husband does not have a record of his vaccinations. We are months away from his interview but trying to plan ahead. Should he try to get all the vaccinations now or wait until the medical exam right before the interview?

Any advice would be much appreciated, especially if you have gone through the process in Colombia.

Thank you!

[USCHE 3]

He can find out what vaccinations he had by doing a blood test.

[TaniaG 0]

Great, thank you. And if the blood test determines he has not had all of the required vaccines, is it better to get them now or wait for the official medical exam?

[mallafri76 1,012]

I have made sure that all of mine are up to date, saves you time for later. If he waits to get all necessary vaccinations until the medical exam, that can add weeks to the process. Might as well do it now during the NVC wait. Just remember that he doesn't need to get all the vaccination on the list, some are very age specific.

[Danielhenson 3]

I read somewhere that one should not try and complete the vaccination list before the Medical appointment. It will be decided there which ones you will need, and if there's enough time left to take them all (that you haven't already gotten)..

[tim131 14]

I had my medical yesterday and I got my transcrpits before, but I didnt have tetnis so got it then and there, he said I would have gotten everything I needed then and there - I'd phone up and check!

[mallafri76 1,012]

I read somewhere that one should not try and complete the vaccination list before the Medical appointment. It will be decided there which ones you will need, and if there's enough time left to take them all (that you haven't already gotten)..

Don't believe whoever told you that. The American Embassy in Stockholm recommend that everyone "have all vaccinations up-to-date before you see the panel physician". There are certain vaccines that cannot be given by the panel physician depending on rules and regulations of the country you live in. E.g. MMR is a live vaccine and in Sweden, by law, these vaccines can only be given at specific vaccination centrals, it's not something that just any nurse or doctor can give.

NVC and CDC also state that "all immigrant visa applicants are required to obtain certain vaccinations prior to the issuance of the immigrant visa", which means if you don't have a certain required vaccine, you will not be given your visa until you have taken it/them, which can cause a delay in your visa process. You will not be allowed to move to the US until you have all necessary vaccinations.

Below is a link to NVC's medical examination information page. You can search for the medical document for the embassy you will attend for the interview, which will give specifics for that particular embassy.

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/interview/prepare/medical-examination.html

[NikLR 13,220]

I would assume as a panel physician they should be able to administer any and all necessary vaccinations. Many many many people wait until the medical to get the vaccinations as many of them are not age appropriate or necessary depending on location. In Canada you only need 3 or 4 (depending on the time of year.) MMR, Tdap, Varicella, and influenza (seasonal). Even varicella is waived with a verbal declaration of chicken pox. However this may vary in other countries.

But I agree what you should look up the medical requirements for your place of interview to find out what is needed for the medical and also where to get it! Best of luck!

[Halai&Tim 5]

Hi,

I would get in touch with the acceptable Dr on the NVC's list for your area and tell him/her that you will need the medical exam AND immunization shots. my husband was able to do everything in one day. and get his results the next week. the results are good for up to a year. (but that may differ depending on the country)

best of luck!

[ESGW 2]

Mallafri76, do you know what vaccines they require for Swedes? There are a lot on the list from the embassy!

[mallafri76 1,012]

Mallafri76, do you know what vaccines they require for Swedes? There are a lot on the list from the embassy!

Found below link when previously looking around for the medical examination and vaccines for the visa:

http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/panel/vaccination-panel-technical-instructions.html#prevention

According to the CDC, who decides what vaccinations are required, people between 18 to 64 need the below:

Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis all in one shot. Booster within the last 10 years if you got it as a kid.

MMR

Varicella

Influenza (if flu season)

If you've had any of the diseases previously, a simple blood test will show that you have immunity and then you don't need that particular vaccination. Half my family work within health care so they've helped me out a lot with this.

[mallafri76 1,012]

Mallafri76, do you know what vaccines they require for Swedes? There are a lot on the list from the embassy!

By the way, if you're born in Sweden between 1979 and 1996, you most likely don't have a vaccination against pertussis (kikhosta) as it was considered eradicated from Scandinavia in 1979 and for many many years.

[TaniaG 0]

Thanks all! I think I'll have my husband get a blood test to see what he has/doesn't have and then call one of the panel physicians to ask what he should do.

If anyone has gone through this in Colombia I would be very interested to hear your experience!

[Claudis927 5]

Hello all -

My husband does not have a record of his vaccinations. We are months away from his interview but trying to plan ahead. Should he try to get all the vaccinations now or wait until the medical exam right before the interview?

Any advice would be much appreciated, especially if you have gone through the process in Colombia.

Thank you!

My mom had her medical done in Bogota by doctor Roa on March 2nd. She did not have any record of vaccinations either. The DR told her what to get for vaccinations based on her age. The vaccinations are done in his office. So it was easy and she did not have to go get a bunch of vaccination that were not necessary for her age. We paid over $200 pesos extra from medical exam ane lab test.

No need to worry about this part. Do worrh about making your appt at least 3 daya before interview because the results package its not available the same day of the exam, they only give it to you the following day

[Claudis927 5]

Thanks all! I think I'll have my husband get a blood test to see what he has/doesn't have and then call one of the panel physicians to ask what he should do.

If anyone has gone through this in Colombia I would be very interested to hear your experience!

Please read mu post. In colombia is different. Recently went through this with my mom. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have