Medical Questions

[shayden10 78]

Hi there!

I am a Canadian fiancee, I received my NOA2 early last week and now I am preparing documents and getting ready for the medical and had a couple questions -

I have never had a TB test, but I know they will do a chest xray. Should I get a TB skin test beforehand anyway?

I have the majority of the vaccinations required as they are also required in Canada, however are there any shots I should get a booster for (like tetanus, mine isn't due for another 5 years).

I am missing the varicella and pneumo conjugate vaccinations, should I get them prior to the appointment?

I know whatever I don't have they will administer if it is required, but I would prefer to not pay their prices for the vaccinations if I have to get them.

Any advice would be appreciated

[A'n'L 735]

No point in getting a TB test beforehand, they will do their own anyway.

Get the vaccinations you are missing, but there's no point in getting boosters of vaccines you've had within the last 10 years (or of vaccines that don't require a booster).

[Nevyna 1]

If you've had chickenpox as a child you do not need the varicella vaccine. You can get a titre test at your doctor that proves you have the antibodies already in your system. Don't worry about boosters. You will have to pay for things that aren't required most likely -- I had to pay for my titre test as my doctor didn't see the need for it other than my US immigration. Your dr. might be different. I'd rather pay for the blood test than get vaccines I didn't need. If you haven't had chickenpox -- then my advice is not helpful

[shayden10 78]

If you've had chickenpox as a child you do not need the varicella vaccine. You can get a titre test at your doctor that proves you have the antibodies already in your system. Don't worry about boosters. You will have to pay for things that aren't required most likely -- I had to pay for my titre test as my doctor didn't see the need for it other than my US immigration. Your dr. might be different. I'd rather pay for the blood test than get vaccines I didn't need. If you haven't had chickenpox -- then my advice is not helpful

No point in getting a TB test beforehand, they will do their own anyway.

Get the vaccinations you are missing, but there's no point in getting boosters of vaccines you've had within the last 10 years (or of vaccines that don't require a booster).

Thank you! I won't get a TB then. I have had chicken pox so that is very helpful! Thank you for your advice!

[Laurel0708 21]

Honestly, when we went to the medical exam, the price was not affected by the amount of vaccines they needed to administer. They told us what the flat fee over the phone was for the VISA medical appointment, and it was that fee even when they learned that he didn't have some of the regular shots he should have had.

[Stevephoto 224]

Honestly, when we went to the medical exam, the price was not affected by the amount of vaccines they needed to administer. They told us what the flat fee over the phone was for the VISA medical appointment, and it was that fee even when they learned that he didn't have some of the regular shots he should have had.

It is my understanding that the vaccinations were covered by the medical fee as well. However, some countries (Mexico comes to mind from what I understand) that do not give any vaccinations. I've never read any issues like that from Canada. As mentioned, bring whatever records you have so you don't get unnecessary vaccines, but you have (or will) already paid for the required vaccine if your medical site gives them. Good luck.

[Ash.1101 1,755]

My husband (Fiance at the time) needed a tetanus booster at his medical, so he got the booster there free of charge. Not sure if all medical's work like that, but his did. It was also the only one he needed.

[Unidentified 2,930]

Not all give you vaccinations for free. I had to pay for my tetanus booster.

Not all medical places do the TB skin test either.

[TBoneTX 42,988]

*** Thread is moved from the K-1 Process forum to the Embassy/Consulate forum -- topic involves the Medical phase. ***

[shayden10 78]

Honestly, when we went to the medical exam, the price was not affected by the amount of vaccines they needed to administer. They told us what the flat fee over the phone was for the VISA medical appointment, and it was that fee even when they learned that he didn't have some of the regular shots he should have had.

It is my understanding that the vaccinations were covered by the medical fee as well. However, some countries (Mexico comes to mind from what I understand) that do not give any vaccinations. I've never read any issues like that from Canada. As mentioned, bring whatever records you have so you don't get unnecessary vaccines, but you have (or will) already paid for the required vaccine if your medical site gives them. Good luck.

Not all give you vaccinations for free. I had to pay for my tetanus booster.

Not all medical places do the TB skin test either.

I have heard from a few people that they got additional vaccinations (like the TB booster and the flu shot) at their medical and it costed additional. I also heard they added an $84 fee at the beginning of October for a urine test.

I don't expect them to do the skin test, since they would need me to return in three days, but they will do a chest xray to determine TB result.

With that being said, I am still going to go ahead and get the TB test, the chicken pox test thing, and the flu shot so I will have nothing to worry about other than the TB booster.

It's hard to know what the right thing to do is when every office and every country is different! Thank you everyone for all of your help!

[Laurel0708 21]

I do know that prices and policies changed in October. We were going to schedule our appointment for the first week of October, but the doctor said it would be $100 cheaper if we booked the last week of September.