Question about Vaccines/Medical

[Rinara 5]

I have been trying to get my vaccine record for a while but simply have none. Due to mix-ups and my parents' poor memory, the only vaccines I know I have for sure are ones I got as an adult and can remember.

I can easily get Mumps/Measles/Rubella and HepB from my own doctor, which is good as the HepB needs 3 doses over a few months, so I'll be on the way through those by the time my medical comes around.

However, there are still three or so vaccines that I can't get easily at my doctor's office and would need to either order them in or go to a travel health clinic and get them there.

My question is, should I wait for my medical and have the practitioner complete the list, or get all the ones I know I will need before going? Does the practitioner charge a lot of money for vaccines I would need? I'm just trying to figure out what's best for time and money.

Thanks

[Unidentified 2,930]

If there are vaccines you'll have to take more than one dose of you should take them prior to going to the clinic. If you think you already have some of those vaccines you should ask them to test you for antibodies and write proof that you are vaccinated. You don't want to get vaccinated for things you are already protected against.

Ask the clinic how much they would take for the vaccines and then compare with other places. I assumed that the clinic would be more expensive and had it done elsewhere and then I saw the price list at the clinic and realized the clinic was actually cheaper.

[mallafri76 1,012]

I have made sure I had all my vaccinations up to date, so I don't have to deal with that at the medical exam. Mainly because there is all this time to do it while waiting for the petition to be approved and for us on the CR/IR-1 visa, the wait at NVC as well, plus in the embassy information it says that not all vaccinations may be available at the medical exam so I figured better safe than sorry.

If it's difficult for you to get the vaccinations at your regular doctor, you may want to wait for the medical exam though. Either you will get the vaccinations there or the doctor will refer you somewhere else.

Edited May 18, 2015 by mallafri76

[Rinara 5]

Thank you for the answers.

I've been investigating and I will work on getting most/all of the vaccinations before my medical is due, and if I can't get them at my regular doctor I will wait for the medical. Travel clinics here charge €60 just for an appointment, then €35-€65 per shot for all of the vaccinations. I think the local nurse should be cheaper. I have an appointment for my MMR next week.

She advised to just get the vaccinations again instead of testing as a test can cost more than the vaccines would have in the first place.

Does anyone know if you still need the varicella vaccination if you had chickenpox as a child?

[Unidentified 2,930]

Thank you for the answers.

I've been investigating and I will work on getting most/all of the vaccinations before my medical is due, and if I can't get them at my regular doctor I will wait for the medical. Travel clinics here charge €60 just for an appointment, then €35-€65 per shot for all of the vaccinations. I think the local nurse should be cheaper. I have an appointment for my MMR next week.

She advised to just get the vaccinations again instead of testing as a test can cost more than the vaccines would have in the first place.

Does anyone know if you still need the varicella vaccination if you had chickenpox as a child?

I don't know if it's the same everywhere but for my medical they only asked if I had it. In Sweden we don't normally vaccinate for chickenpox so they asked and that was it.

[mallafri76 1,012]

As far as I know, you don't need to get vaccinated against chickenpox if you've had it.

[yuna628 9,527]

If you are over the age of 18, HepB, HepA, or any other shots except for the following: MMR, TD/TdaP, chickenpox (only if you have not had it as a child), and flu shot (when in season) are not required.

Get the shots that are required only, and make sure you obtain some sort of printout or document regarding all the shots you have had in your medical history.

You do not need a chickenpox shot if you have had it as a child. You're immune already.

If you never had a record of MMR, then you will need two doses that need a few weeks interval for each injection.

Edited May 18, 2015 by yuna628

[Rinara 5]

Thank you guys again! The vaccines I have listed as needing are MMR, TdaP, HepB, and Chickenpox. But I had chickenpox and have the scars to show it, but no doctor record.

So I don't need the HepB ones? I've heard conflicting stories.
And in the medical if I tell them I've had chickenpox it'll be enough?

[yuna628 9,527]

Thank you guys again! The vaccines I have listed as needing are MMR, TdaP, HepB, and Chickenpox. But I had chickenpox and have the scars to show it, but no doctor record.

So I don't need the HepB ones? I've heard conflicting stories.

And in the medical if I tell them I've had chickenpox it'll be enough?

If you are over 18 you don't need it. Unless you'd like it for your own enjoyment or peace of mind of getting a series of HepB shots that need 6months or more to complete. I remember getting those shots as a teenager. Whew, were they itchy and a pain. Rather big fuss to wait inbetween shots too.

Yes if you tell them you've had chickenpox, it will be fine.

Flu shot only when it is in season from October to March. So that would depend upon when your medical would be.

Remember a K1 doesn't technically need vaccinations to obtain the visa, they just need it to adjust status once they arrive in the US. It's often cheaper and more proactive to get such shots completed before or during the medical, instead of seeking out expensive civil surgeons stateside.

Edited May 18, 2015 by yuna628

[Rinara 5]

Thank you thank you!

I'm trying to get them all done here so I don't have to do it over there. It'd be more money and stress when things are already expensive and stressful!

This is great. My list of required shots is shrinking so quickly. It's the HepB one that is tricky, as some sites say it's needed, and others say it's not if you're over 18 (which I really very very much am, unfortunately). The itching doesn't sound fun.

Edited May 18, 2015 by Rinara

[Zedayn 485]

Thank you guys again! The vaccines I have listed as needing are MMR, TdaP, HepB, and Chickenpox. But I had chickenpox and have the scars to show it, but no doctor record.

So I don't need the HepB ones? I've heard conflicting stories.

And in the medical if I tell them I've had chickenpox it'll be enough?

For most adults you only need MMR, Tdap and Varicella. If you already had chicken pox, then you don't need varicella.

No you do not need HepB. HepB is a required vaccine if you are under 18 years of age.

This table will show you a list of all the required vaccinations for AOS based on your age: http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/civil/vaccination-civil-technical-instructions.html#tbl1

[BillyG 26]

Thanks for asking this as I am in same position. Trying to figure out which ones are actually required when i have practically no record of any vaccinations given as a child. Have records from military life but all are from 2006 or 2009.

[Mena28 35]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but what about Meningococcus and Pneumococcus?

Do we or do we not need those on a K-1 medical?

I thought I had this understood, but now I am confused again...

Edited May 18, 2015 by Mena28

[Unidentified 2,930]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but what about Meningococcus and Pneumococcus?

Do we or do we not need those on a K-1 medical?

I thought I had this understood, but now I am confused again...

No they would only be needed if you had been under 18.

[yuna628 9,527]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but what about Meningococcus and Pneumococcus?

Do we or do we not need those on a K-1 medical?

I thought I had this understood, but now I am confused again...

If you are over the age of 18, no. If you are younger, than other shots will apply.

Again

MMR (need to have a record of at least one shot as a child, if not then you will need both doses)

TD/Tdap

chickenpox (only if you have never had chickenpox as a child. they will take your word for it, if you have)

flu shot (only when in season, otherwise you are waived)