Question about vaccination requirements

[kitchen_princess 1]

Our CR-1 file is currently being processed by NVC, so I'm planning ahead for the medical exam.

I'm positive I was vaccinated for mumps, measles, rubella, polio, pertussis, diphteria and tetanus, because I grew up in Europe, where vaccination for these things is routine. However, I may not be able to provide the documentation to prove it: my vaccination chart is somewhere at my parents' house, and although my mother will hopefully be able to locate it, she might not.

I went to see my usual physician today, to ask for her advice. She wrote me a prescription for a tetanus booster and a hepatitis B shot (although she seemed pretty shocked to learn that I might be forced to get vaccinated against the latter, as she does not consider me to be at risk in any way), but said that nobody vaccinates adults for the other types of infantile diseases on the list.

So, my question is, supposing I can't provide proof that I was vaccinated as a child (other than proof that I was raised in Europe), will I have to have all the shots again? Will the authorized physician give them to me on the spot and charge me for them? What about the hepatitis B vaccine, which requires three rounds of shots over several months? Could I get into trouble if I'm not entirely vaccinated against hep B, or can I get the rest of the shots after I immigrate to the US?

Additional info: I'm applying from Canada, and my medical exam will be in Montreal.

[jessyjessy 13]

Not sure if all medical are the same or different on places. But I had complete shots because I'm a nurse. But then I don't have papers or forms of it so they had to give me all shots again. I think that's ok cause shots of it won't give no harm.

[lost_at_sea 995]

They'll only have you do the ones that are age appropriate. Assuming you're an adult, you'll need the ones listed in this post response (described better than I would and lists age breakdown a couple more posts down the thread): http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/421205-vaccinations-required-for-aos-from-uk-to-us/?p=6075184

Edited August 22, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[kitchen_princess 1]

Thank you for the fast replies and for the link, although it's odd because the post states that the polio vaccine isn't necessary, yet it's on every official list of required vaccines I've seen. Also, it states that you need to have had a booster in the last ten years, and I haven't. My doctor told me they aren't typically done on adults...

I am an adult. We're also filing for our infant son, but he's had all the shots we can give him at his age, so I'm not worried about him.

I don't particularly mind getting the shots again, I'm more concerned about a) the price the authorized physician would charge me, and b) whether the fact that I'm not vaccinated against hepatitis B could cause some sort of delay, since you need to get several rounds spread over several months.

[Darnell 8,478]

when/if you get shots done NOT by an authorized panel physician,

make certain your international shot record is updated by said physician.

Then, when you show up for yer medical exam, hand over the shot record.

[carocaro 22]

I only had to update my tetanus and my records were old Canadian ones too...some of the vaccinations are just not age appropriate for us. While they may list them on the form, they don't say they are all necessary.

[NikLR 13,220]

You will need to show a vaccination record or proof of immunity (via blood tests) of:

mumps, measles, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and influenza (if it's flu season)

I even took a copy of my immunity to Hep B and they put down Hep B as being "not age appropriate."

A doctor can order up a test of immunity (also known as titre test) to all of the above, except influenza. Generally speaking if you haven't had a Dtap or TD in the last 10 years, get one anyhow. Mumps and measles can wear off. Influenza is only needed during flu season. Don't worry about any of the rest for Canada.