Vaccination Prior to K1 Interview?

[Piefre 15]

I am so confused in regards to this vaccination stuff, so I hope you guys can help me out, please!

Anyway, My boyfriend and I have not applied for the K1 yet but we will be very soon. Right now, I'm just trying to get anything I can ahead of time in order. Right now, that means determining my vaccination records and which vaccines I might need to update and which ones I might need to get.

Originally, I was thinking of getting any vaccines I might need to get my visa here and prior to applying just so it's one less thing to worry about. But, there's been conflicting information and now I'm confused. I have most of my vaccination records from going to public school, but I am missing three that I received as an infant due to being born in a country that isn't Canada and doesn't keep vaccination records. Those three vaccines were Polio, Diphtheria, and Pertussis. I also had a shot for TB that wasn't documented but that's not the USCIS' required list.

Anyway, I would be fine with getting those shots again and any other shots they want me to get up to and including HPV. What I want to know is, am I even allowed to get those shots prior to my K1 Medical and Interview? Especially since the USCIS website says this:

CAUTION: Do not attempt to obtain the vaccinations before the medical exam with the civil surgeon. During your examination with the civil surgeon, he or she will review your vaccination history, and may determine that certain vaccinations are not necessary or not appropriate.

Now, I don't plan on getting those shots when I was a child done again because I don't think most of them are required for someone of my age now (23). I was just thinking of getting a tetanus booster, get started on the HPV, and any other shots that might require an update.

Can anyone help me clear this up. Are you allowed to get shots prior to the K1 medical and interview or do you have to wait for them to assess you first?

Thanks!

[SapphireDreams 71]

Yes definitely get all your shots before your actual medical. It will makes things go more quickly at the medical.

Since you have no record of the shots, then you'll need to either get the shots re-done OR get a titres test done to show your immunity. The titres test is one simple blood test that you can get done at your regular Dr.'s office. From there, if you show immunity, you are good to go. If you don't show immunity, you'll need to get the shots, which you can get from your regular Dr. A booster shot will not be enough, they want to see the actual dates and proof that you completed the series as a child.

You can also try contacting the Department of Health for your region as they keep a record of your vaccines as well. I got mine from Peel Region for free by emailing them. They sent it by mail and it actually showed a shot that I was missing from my yellow booklet which was good.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Hi Piefre! For some good information regarding immigration medicals and what shots are required for your age group go here: http://www.panelphysicians.com/

They clarify many of the confusing USCIS requirements for you!

[Krikit 1,164]

I come from the UK where they immunize against TB through the BCG vaccine. Since your country immunizes against that, also, you are going to have to get your doctor to note that in your records because you are going to test positive for it. I did not have my immunization records from the UK so I went to my family physician with the list of required vaccines. He was familiar with the British vaccination system so he noted those down on his prescription pad, plus he gave me a couple of boosters for the ones which were outdated. I took that to my medical and all went well.

[Piefre 15]

Thanks so much for all your help! It's much more clear what I can and should do now. It's kind of funny, that even before we file the K1, I am already getting stressed out and confused.