Still trying to book my medical, so today I decided to start trying to get a hold of my immunization records. I walked over to the medical laboratory and asked them if they could do a Titres test, and they told me that they couldn't unless I had a doctors note, and that I should call CRD to try to get a hold of my records.
I called CRD, and they told me to call my family doctor.
I called my family doctor, and they informed me they would attempt to look, but they doubted they would find anything, and would give me a call in a couple days.
I was immunized for Chicken pox August 22/2005 (don't have it written anywhere, but I know from memory,) and the only other shots I have had were whatever they gave me in school when I wasn't playing hookie.

Anyways, I researched a little and found the below posts a bit helpful (thanks Misa and Stacey33!!) But now I'm mostly just curious what kind of antibodies do I need them to search for if I finally manage to get a Titres test?
Thanks for any replies, and sorry for all the questions lately

Oooh I just found this link: http://www.panelphysicians.com/Pages/Age6.htm which tells me what immunizations I need, yay! Going to head to the walk in clinic right now and see if I can get a doctor's note requesting a Titres test. Last question: If they do a Titres test, and I am already immunized for some of these shots I need, do they give me some kind of official letter that will be accepted at the medical stating that I have been vaccinated and that I don't need the shot?

Thanks again!

The Titres will show everything you are good for. Bring them the list of what you want to be checked for. MMR- Measles Mumps Rubella, TB- Tuberculosis, Chicken Pox is optional- the Civil surgeons in Canada and the US will take oral testimony you have had the Chicken Pox.

The results from the Lab will show if you are immune. I came up low immunity on a few things and had all my shots redone at the Heath Unit. It was covered under my Alberta Health care.

Agreed. The lab results are good enough proof. Your family doctor will be able to tell you if you have low antibody counts. The lab messed up my results and only tested for Rubella and not the others and since I was to go to my medical with no hope of getting the lab results in time (takes 2 to 3 weeks) I just ended up taking all the shots.

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING!!! I'm frustrated now to the point of tears. After all the phone calls and the wild goose chases today, I went to the walk in clinic with the list of immunizations needed and requested a titre for immigration purposes.
The doctor then told me that getting a titre for any of those is ridiculous and costs money. (To me or to the health department, I'm not sure, but I would have gladly payed.)
I had MMR, Tetanus, Diptheria, Hepatitis B and Influenza written down. She said I cannot get a titre for any of them and now have to call the city in which I was raised and start over grilling them instead. She gave me a Tetanus shot and a card showing I've now been immunized for it (gee thanks), but I still have no idea how to get the rest of it.
I don't understand how everyone else was able to get a titres done so easily, yet they are putting me through hell over such a simple request. I really don't even know what to do now. My family doctor in the city I grew up in no longer lives there, and I don't even think the school would keep records of the immunizations they give you.

All I can think to do now is call my family doc tomorrow and book an appointment and get all the shots re-done and risk having a reaction to them since I probably have them all already.
*sigh* The things we do for love....

You walk in, say you want it and say it is covered by Provincial Heath Care. They said something about it costing money when I had to get my second Titres (a month after my new shots) I said no, it is covered by Alberta Health Care and she said ok. I never paid a cent.

I don't think you need Influenza or Hep unless you are in a certain age group.

Ok. Did you go to a walk in clinic, family doc or a Medical lab?
Ooh and you're right, I just re-read the info and influenza is only for 50+years old, and Hepatitis for 19 years and younger.

If all that is correct, all I need now is MMR.

Screw it. I'm going to the other walk in clinic down the street. They are going to titre me or face some serious Canadian Rage.

That is a good girl

Canadian rage comes in handy- I went to the Medicentre- just walk in and tell them" I need to be sent to the Lab for a Titres test for MMR and TB. Thanks."

That's correct from what I have read:

• Hepatitis B vaccine required through 19 years of age.
• Influenza vaccine required for those 50 years of age or older

Evidence of Immunity
Laboratory evidence of immunity is acceptable for the following diseases: measles, rubella,
mumps, hepatitis B, polio, and varicella (normally not necessary unless a history of varicella is questionable).

I found this here - Technical Instructions to Panel Physicians for Vaccination Requirements (revised December 2002) http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/pdf/ti-03/ti-iz-cs-clrd.pdf

- which I found by going here http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/panel.htm

Hope this helps, sorry to hear you got the run around!

You do not get a reaction from taking the booster shots if you have already had them before. If they give you a hard time to do the tests just get the MMR booster and you are all set. I found getting the shots were a lot simpler and faster than doing the titres tests.

Finally! Got the form from the MUCH nicer doc at the other walk-in clinic. Tomorrow I'll stop by the lab and get the tests done and over with.

Thanks so much for your help guys!!!

Oh...just noticed you said TB, I didn't see that on the form for recquired immunizations:(

If you can, arrange for the titres on your own; don't have the doctor you see for the medical do them. Why? Because if the doctor who does the medical orders the titres, the titires, as C. and I just discovered, count as the property of the U.S. government, which means you won't get a copy.

Which means when it comes time to adjust status, you'll have to get them re-done all over again because you won't have anything written down that says you've had the medical exam with vaccinations. So if you can get them done somewhere independently so you're the owner of your records, I'd recommend that.

Thanks, luckily I've decided to stick with the CR-1 route so won't have to worry about adjusting status when I finally do arrive in the US.
I'm still confused about this whole TB thing though. Are we talking TB as in tuberculosis, or was that a mistype for Td (Tetanus Diphtheria?)
I have the tetanus shot, but not TB...hoping I don't need that one too now!
(I do see a little spot on the lab form where I *could* just pencil in TB titer as well, if that was needed.)Not saying I would...just saying the opportunity is there:)

My doctor just gave me the MMR and the tetnus on the spot .. they didn't affect me .. I was about due for a tetnus (every 10 years anyhow) ... no blood work and no waiting for tests .. over and done with with the records to prove it

I might end up just doing that as well, now that you mention it. My boss will kill me for needing to leave work early again for another medical, but sounds like it will be worth it.

Still wondering though, does anyone know if I do need TB records?

I ranted in another thread about all this. New twist, my so called "new" doctor, is out of the practice and they're not replacing him so now I don't have a doctor at all, UGH....
anyway, back to Misty,

I didn't have proof of anything, long story, but managed to talk the "new" doctor into giving me another tetnus and MMR.... (CDC recommendations if anyone needs it) A week later I found a copy of a titres test...a form anyway, that I had to have done for when I went back to school. Said I had one in 2002 as well, so I've had TWO extra MMR and it hasn't effected me at all. Same as tetnus, I cut myself alot, the hospital gives me one anyway.


I think I'll wander into the clinic and see if I can get an updated test Just to bring with in case.

stupid things keeps putting me to edit...the TB test, I had one done with the titres test, they prick you, and you go back 2 days later to see if there was any reaction. I think we were all done as kids though.

Yes it is the Tetnus/Dyptheria you need to be checked for.

Sorry- it is the 4th and I had lots to drink

Ah ok. That helps alot, actually. I think the first place I called today informed me that I did have a TB test, so they should have the record. If not, I'll try to get that done at my family doc when I go bug her for the MMR

I didn't have any test for Tuberculosis.

I assumed that was something that they checked for when they did the chest X-Ray.

TB is turburculosis....Td is tetnus diptheria (my spelling sucks)

Stacy, yep....that was probably what the x-ray was for. I had to have the TB test because I'm in health care.(for work)

Hey, I'm with you there, girl! Working on my third drink besides having to be up in 6 hours. You of all people should be celebrating tonight anyways, since its your first 4th of July in the US!!!

We had a great time!! Everyone is gone now- most have to work tomorrow.

We had fireworks, it was great! I even lit one- for me, that was brave

Lol yeah... I wouldn't even go there, I'm not as brave. I'm picturing singed hair and missing eyebrows.

Yar, go in there and demand some shots and/or a blood test. Canadian rage, go!

I know for my immunization records I went into my new doctor's office (long story, but my old doctor sucked) and asked for a blood test to prove immunity to MMR/TD/chicken pox, and the doc just said, "Why not get booster shots now? It's free and will probably save you a trip." I was expecting to pay out of the butt for them! So I got my boosters for MMR/TD and got a blood test proving immunity to chicken pox - paid for by provincial health care.

If they kick up a fuss, point out that the shots are free - and in light of the mumps scare last month, you want your shots. Period. No "oh it's for immigration so I have to charge you". If they say that, go somewhere else. Hell, the walk-in clinic should do 'em for you.

For my medical, I know I got a copy of my immunization records for AoS - so at least I'm not worried about doing them again at some crabby civil surgeon down in the States.

Just my two cents worth but I agree with Lance27. I had all my shots in school as well, but I'm 49 years old now. Was way too much of a bother to do the titre. Just got the boosters, it was free, no reactions at all. Saved myself a ton of running around and aggravation.

Carla

=( got blood drawn today for my titre.. hopefully I"m covered and I won't need more shots..

I try to avoid needles

I agree that needles definetely aren't fun. If it helps any, when they gave me my tetanus shot the other day, I didn't even feel it. I guess it all depends on who is giving the shot.

a day or two after I got my tetanus shot, my arm swelled up and got all red... it wasn't pleasant

for the rest all I did was get a titre test for MMR and chicken pox... wasn't too much of a hassle... the blood draw place was across the street from the doctor's office and it didn't cost me anything...