Can someone please provide some info on HPV vaccine? My wife is 22 and I am expecting her interview date to arrive w/in 3 to 4 month time frame. We are going the the K3 route.

I have read online that OHIP in Ontario does not cover HPV vaccination and the cost for the three doses is over $500 - I then called a doctor's office in Toronto and they confirmed this. Is there any place in Toronto area where my wife can get this free of cost?

Is this a required vaccine for a 22 year old female applying for a K3 visa? She has all of her other vaccines completed, except this. Does she have to get this prior to the medical exam and/or the interview, or as long as the vaccination is completed prior to AOS interview, we will be fine? Please help as we are both a bit concerned about spending $500 on this vaccine if it's not even required.

Any guidance will be appreciated. Thanks!

Btw, the info I found here in the Canada forum was related to K1 visa.

-Fahad

HPV vaccine is recommended for women under age 26 if I am not mistaken

There's a bunch of threads about it in the Foreign Embassy Forum. Here's one. Sorry I can't specifically answer your question as I came here prior to the new requirement.


27

There have been a couple of discussions in the Canada forum about this as well, doesn't seem to be any hard and fast rules - seems each Panel Physician is making their own for now. I read a post the other day where the Dr said it was new and the woman wasn't required to get it - as it was so new.

Also in the second link below, the poster mentions that they were told they didn't need to get it until they adjusted status. In order to get a definative answer you might have to contact the embassy and the panel physician. Regardless of K1 or K3, the vaccination requirements should be the same.


New Vaccination Requirements, Not sure if this has been mentioned

My review of Dr. Chana's Medical (edmonton)

Thanks for the link. It appears that there is a lot of confusion around this. I actually called the Panel Doctor's office in Toronto and was told that it is required for women between 11-26, not recommended, rather mandatory. This is just so frustrating. I have e-mailed the Montreal Consulate and waiting on an official reply.

Thanks!
-Fahad



Thanks!

Yes, it's mandatory now, and there isn't anywhere to get it for free either. I have the prescription waiting in my wallet, I just have to figure out when I can make the appointment and go get it done.

I've accepted the fact that i have to pay $500 for it

It really does depend on the doctor. When I went to my medical in Vancouver they said it wasn't quite mandatory yet, but the doctors in Toronto disagree. The Consulate will email you and tell you that it's mandatory, at least Vancouver did. I'm not sure if anyone who emailed Montreal regarding the vaccine ever actually received a reply.

Well rather than it being an interview related finishing point, you can't put a price on your wives health. I'm sad nobody has pointed that out yet. I understand alot of people have problems with money but that money's not worth anything if you don't have your health.

I don't think anyone was suggesting it was? I'm sure Fahad values his wife as much as anyone does, they may not think it is important - and that is their choice.

and a lot of people are weary of vaccines when they first come on the market...
you wonder about side effects vs the risks of not getting the vaccine at all

it's everyone's choice.

That's what I was thinking..

Getting this vaccine isn't about cost. There is a reason that it isn't covered by provincial health care services at this time. Currently, the vaccine which may have beneficial health effects is without much long term studies. Additionally, regular PAP exams ensures that women who have a risk of developing cervical cancer are regularly screened. This alone ensures the health and well being of a woman. It would be ignorant for us to think that with this vaccine, women should forgo regular exams (which I am sorry, but it's going to happen). This vaccine is to prevent certain strains of HPV alone. Unless I am mistaken, spouses/fiancees are in a committed relationship and the spread of this virus should really be a moot point.

I never took the vaccine. When I went for my interview at Vancouver, I was told that vaccines are not really needed to get the K-1 interview. They told me I didn't have to have it. I also didn't have a tetanus or MMR vaccine. And to be honest, I have not had a vaccine since I was 3 months old. Vancouver didn't care abit. I have heard that to get your AOS, you must have all vaccines up to date but I have also heard that they don't need to be up to date. Vancouver said it was possible for me to get a waiver when I sent in for my AOS. Anyways, thats just a bit of my experience. Hope it helps!

i don't know for sure because I did Cr1 visa but I am pretty sure you need the shots for the AOS... and it is better to get it done in Canada because it will probably be free.. whereas in the US you will have to pay for them...

Well, my wife just got the fist of the three shots yesterday. The only reason, I was a bit concerned about this was due to the shear fact that I have read studies that have suggested that in certain cases, statistically insignificant case thus far, the vaccine has actually caused cancer in the clinical trial participants.

After you read such information, you tend to question things. In any case, I just pray that the vaccination will not have any serious side effects, in the short run or in the long run.

Lastly, I e-mailed the Montreal Consulate and they confirmed that the vaccination is mandatory. You have to be current in your doses when you go for your medical. You don't have to have all three doses completed, but you have to be current, i.e. on schedule for all your doses.

Thanks to all who replied.

-Fahad

Thanks for the update Fahad

I have been totally against this vaccine since day 1 and it has NOTHING to do with the cost.
I simply don't trust it. It's new, has had stories surrounding it of horrible side effects and even death. It hasn't been passed in 1 state yet. I don't want it in my body, it's that simple and it's my choice.

I feel it is a total money grab, just another money hungry company cashing out on people's fears. I think it's ridiculous. Luckily, I turned 27 on Monday and my medical is this Monday so I'm in the clear...others won't be so lucky.

everyone should have thier own choice!! Crazy how Immigration has decided all under 27 have to have it!! on the other hand I know of one young lady that has HPV and she sure wishes she had the vaccine, it may or may not have prevented it. And they are finding people with HPV, that have had only 1 partner and some of the same sex (lesbians) its a very strange disease and to be honest, i haven't read up on it all that much.

You know what is really strange - is that they are requiring a vaccination for non-citizens that isn't required or supported for citizens. Plus, they are vaccinating people who may or may not already have HPV.

Maybe this is the field study.

Maybe I am wrong and please correct me if I am but aren't they giving out these vaccinations to 8th grade girls for no charge so how can they go about charging older women to get the vaccinations. I am 28 so I don't have to get the vaccination, I don't really have an opinion about it but maybe I would if I was forced to get it. But who came up with that age anyways, under 27 seems like a funny age to pick!