Hi there,
I've got a question about vaccinations. Did anyone who DCF'd in Australia go to their local GP for the vacciantions (and would this best be done before or after the medical)? And is it just a couple of jabs on the one day, or do you need proof of booster shots etc?

Also, I'm finding the medical form kind of confusing in terms of figuring out which vaccintions I need. I'm 29 years of age. Does anyone in a similar position remember which vaccinations they needed?

Thanks so much. Every time I think I've got this DCF process figured out, something else comes along to stump me!

Hi Evi

Just had my medical here in Oz (damm arms are still sore). If you need any jabs you can get them done prior to the medical. Just keep a record of it to take to the medical. You can also get a blood test done which will show your immunity to MMR etc. to determine which jabs you need. If you have your immunisation records you need to take them with you to the medical. Which state are you in?

You need TD (tetanus/diptheria), MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) & Varicella (chicken pox)

Come and join us in the LAND DOWNUNDER thread....lots of info specific to australia and support.


Lorelle

Hi Lorrele,
thanks so much for the info. I'm in Vic. I'll probably head down to my local GP soon and get the jabs before my medical. I think I had chickenpox as a kid, so it'll just be a couple of vaccinations. Not looking forward to the pain!

Wow, is that it, just TD, MMR and Varicella, the form makes it look like there's like a dozen things to get done. I wonder if showing a previous exchange student visa is sufficient proof, probably not, but that's when I actually received my MMR.

If I get a blood test to determine which shots I've had, would it be sufficient to check for the three you've mentioned above or should I check for the whole list of shots mentioned in the medical check forms. I'm also in my late 20s.

AussieDude

Its age dependant. You only need the shots/immunisation that is relevent. You use the table they provided to determine what you need. You will need either your medical record showing that you have had MMR and Varicella, and a recent TD shot.....or you have the blood test done if those records are not available. Oh shoot I forgot to mention......blood test for HIV as well. Or you can wait and have it done at the medical. I preferred getting it all done in advance so I wasnt there forever and spaced out my vaccinations so I didnt feel like a pin cushion.

I'm sticking my nose in even though I don't know the Australia drill 100%.

We tried to figure out what vax my spouse would require, before he had his medical. We identified three shots and wanted to get them done at home where it would be cheaper. We were advised by the Consular staff to wait for an assessment by the panel doc and followed orders.

At the medical, my husband was asked about his vax history, where he had grown up (different country to filing), his age (for the era, lol) and about his military history. The panel doc drew his conclusions based on what he knew about those activities and only required a tetnus booster.

So, yes, your previous travel/visa history *could* have a bearing on this. We were never required to provide proof of his vax history (can't mail the stone tablets!) and did no titres or anything extra. If you had an MMR, another one would certainly be contraindicated.

I did my medical in Sydney. When I made my appointment I was asked to bring any vaccination records and a full bladder.....oh and the $$. As I didnt have my childhood medical records....if I hadnt had the titre test done prior they would of done it there at the medical ....same for the HIV. It saved me $$.

OK, Australia-unique.

I'm still going there, and you can't stop me.

Bring me back for a visit in your luggage will ya.......its gonna be a loooooooong time before I get back here