Immunizations and Medical

[loosegee 3]

I went to my GP to get my immunization record as I don't remember when the last time I got a shot. I was very young. GP says he can't find my immunization record so he wrote a note that all my childhood shots are up to date. He also said I don't need a tetanus shot as the last shot I had was in 1991 and it is not common practice in the UK anymore to do tetanus every ten years. Is the written note from my GP sufficient enough for the medical? And do I still need the tetanus shot?

[Mark + Melissa 49]

I went to my GP to get my immunization record as I don't remember when the last time I got a shot. I was very young. GP says he can't find my immunization record so he wrote a note that all my childhood shots are up to date. He also said I don't need a tetanus shot as the last shot I had was in 1991 and it is not common practice in the UK anymore to do tetanus every ten years. Is the written note from my GP sufficient enough for the medical? And do I still need the tetanus shot?

Good question. I'm also anxious to hear the answer as my fiance is in a similar situation, and is going to have immunization records recreated from his medical records if possible

[Hannah B 16]

When I first contacted my GP the receptionist could only see my injections on their electronic system from the age of 10 and they made me a print out of that. They suggested I contact Child Health Department for my area for earlier records which were only kept in paper form. I had to do a little research as I had never heard of the Child Health Department but I found the relevant one for my county and called them and after a few security type questions they confirmed they had my records since birth until the age of 10 and sent me a record of them within a few days at no charge. It may be worth you checking with your area. I'm not sure about the tetanus question but hopefully someone will come along and answer that.

[JoannaV 173]

Is the written note from my GP sufficient enough for the medical?

No.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Is the written note from my GP sufficient enough for the medical?

No, the note that you are up to date holds no water. They need the specific shot and date given.

He also said I don't need a tetanus shot as the last shot I had was in 1991 and it is not common practice in the UK anymore to do tetanus every ten years.

That might work if you were immigrating to the UK. You have to meet the US standards so it doesn't matter what your UK GP says because you are moving to the US which has different reccommendations.

And do I still need the tetanus shot?

Yes...more specifically its the combination of diptheria, tetanus, and pertussis OR tetanus/diptheria if you have a recorded date of pertussis as a child.

Adults need

Td or Tdap (if DT, DTP or DTaP shown: okay to accept); (no longer than 10 yrs ago)

MMR (if born in 1957 or later); 2 doses but one can be waived if 4 weeks hasn't passed since dose #1 on the date of medical exam

Varicella; chicken pox disease gets you a waiver or since you're CR1 lack of availability in the UK gets waiver.

Influenza (during flu season only, October 1 through March 31)

Edited August 8, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[loosegee 3]

Thank you all for your response.

My wife says I can just get an antibody titer test to determine which shots I need and to get them from my GP. I don't think this is necessary. It says on the embassy website that a vaccination record is not mandatory to bring to the exam and that they will work with you based on your medical record what vaccs you need.

My mother is accompanying me to my medical. She can confirm to the doc all my childhood shots are up to date. After all, she was there. Her word is good as gold.

[jessicaruizw 9]

She can confirm to the doc all my childhood shots are up to date. After all, she was there. Her word is good as gold.

I don´t want to rain on your parade, but I don´t think the U.S. government is really interested in what you mother says. Can you imagine the mayhem if the visa and entry process was influenced by what all of our mother´s said?

If it´s not a certified doc, generally they don´t care.

Edited August 9, 2012 by jessicaruizw

[loosegee 3]

I don´t want to rain on your parade, but I don´t think the U.S. government is really interested in what you mother says. Can you imagine the mayhem if the visa and entry process was influenced by what all of our mother´s said?

If it´s not a certified doc, generally they don´t care.

She would be there to verify my vaccs. She knows what shots and the dates. The problem is I don't have a written record just my GP verifying that my childhood immunizations are up to date.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

She would be there to verify my vaccs. She knows what shots and the dates. The problem is I don't have a written record just my GP verifying that my childhood immunizations are up to date.

Suit yourself then since you've got it figured out. Not sure why you asked.

Just so you know, I don't dream up answers. I study the documents and try to give very correct information. I got this information from the official Technical Instructions for Panel Physicians for Vaccinations, specifically this paragraph:

Vaccination Documentation

Acceptable vaccination documentation must come from a vaccination record, either a personal vaccination record or a copy of a medical chart with entries made by a physician or other appropriate medical personnel. Only those records of doses of vaccines that include the dates of receipt (month, day, and year) are acceptable. The document must not appear to have been altered, and dates of vaccinations should seem reasonable.

Self-reported doses of vaccines without written documentation are not acceptable

.

If you want to learn about the entire medical exam, start reading here http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/panel/technical-instructions-panel-physicians.html and click each link for the details on the various sub-parts.

Best of luck to you and let us know how it goes. It will be interesting to see if Knightsbridge will forego their instructions in favor of what your Mum reports.

[loosegee 3]

Suit yourself then since you've got it figured out. Not sure why you asked.

Just so you know, I don't dream up answers. I study the documents and try to give very correct information. I got this information from the official Technical Instructions for Panel Physicians for Vaccinations, specifically this paragraph:

Vaccination Documentation

Acceptable vaccination documentation must come from a vaccination record, either a personal vaccination record or a copy of a medical chart with entries made by a physician or other appropriate medical personnel. Only those records of doses of vaccines that include the dates of receipt (month, day, and year) are acceptable. The document must not appear to have been altered, and dates of vaccinations should seem reasonable.

Self-reported doses of vaccines without written documentation are not acceptable

.

If you want to learn about the entire medical exam, start reading here http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/panel/technical-instructions-panel-physicians.html and click each link for the details on the various sub-parts.

Best of luck to you and let us know how it goes. It will be interesting to see if Knightsbridge will forego their instructions in favor of what your Mum reports.

Nonetheless, the embassy website says an immunization record is asked for but not required. The doctor will work with you to determine which shots you need.

[loosegee 3]

Suit yourself then since you've got it figured out. Not sure why you asked.

Just so you know, I don't dream up answers. I study the documents and try to give very correct information. I got this information from the official Technical Instructions for Panel Physicians for Vaccinations, specifically this paragraph:

Vaccination Documentation

Acceptable vaccination documentation must come from a vaccination record, either a personal vaccination record or a copy of a medical chart with entries made by a physician or other appropriate medical personnel. Only those records of doses of vaccines that include the dates of receipt (month, day, and year) are acceptable. The document must not appear to have been altered, and dates of vaccinations should seem reasonable.

Self-reported doses of vaccines without written documentation are not acceptable

.

If you want to learn about the entire medical exam, start reading here http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/panel/technical-instructions-panel-physicians.html and click each link for the details on the various sub-parts.

Best of luck to you and let us know how it goes. It will be interesting to see if Knightsbridge will forego their instructions in favor of what your Mum reports.

Nonetheless, the embassy website says an immunization record is asked for but not required. The doctor will work with you to determine which shots you need. I also called Knightsbridge and the woman said a written note from my GP is fine.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Nonetheless, the embassy website says an immunization record is asked for but not required. The doctor will work with you to determine which shots you need. I also called Knightsbridge and the woman said a written note from my GP is fine.

That's good so it will be useful to hear how it goes for future reference. You know ...instructions vs actual experience at Knightsbridge.