About the Vaccines

[mccartna 19]

Hello everyone,

Hopefully our case will be complete "soon" and maybe it's time to start thinking about the medical exam and the interview. When it comes to the vaccines, do we need to do or prepare anything? We are kinda lost on this point since I (the Spanish beneficiary) have a vaccination records book but reading on other topics it seems kinda useless since they don't really trust those at the medical exam and they will administer whatever vaccines you might need. Is this right?

So basically we wonder if there's any official source where we can check if we need to do or prepare anything in advance regarding the vaccines situation. Of course experiences will be also appreciated!

Thank you guys!

[Pitaya 2,577]

See if this USCIS link about immigration vaccination requirements helps: http://www.uscis.gov/news/questions-and-answers/vaccination-requirements

Found through a simple Google search. Google can also be your friend!

[mccartna 19]

See if this USCIS link about immigration vaccination requirements helps: http://www.uscis.gov/news/questions-and-answers/vaccination-requirements

Found through a simple Google search. Google can also be your friend!

Thanks!

I just found some information on the US Embassy in Madrid website which is definitely helpful. Here it is:

http://madrid.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant/medical_examination.html

The United States immigration law requires immigrant visa applicants to obtain certain vaccinations (listed below) prior to the issuance of an immigrant visa. The physicians who conduct medical examinations of immigrant visa applicants are required to verify that you have met the vaccination requirement, or that it is medically inappropriate for you to receive one or more of the listed vaccinations:

• Mumps

• Measles

• Rubella

• Polio

• Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids

• Pertussis

• Influenzae type b (Hib)

• Hepatitis B

• Varicella

• Pneumococcal and

• Influenza

• Rotavirus

• Hepatitis A

• Meningococcal

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) and

• Zoster

In order to assist the physician and avoid delays in the processing of your immigrant visa, you should have the vaccinations records of all family members applying for immigration available at the time of the medical examination. Waivers of the vaccination requirements are available only upon recommendation of the examining physician. Only the physician can determine which of the listed vaccinations are medically appropriate for you, given your age and medical history.

[StrawberryKiss 170]

As of 2009, zoster and HPV vaccinations are not required anymore See: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/vaccinations.html

And if your medical takes place between October and March, you will need to get a flu shot. Otherwise it's optional.

[mccartna 19]

As of 2009, zoster and HPV vaccinations are not required anymore See: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/vaccinations.html

And if your medical takes place between October and March, you will need to get a flu shot. Otherwise it's optional.

Thank you! That was really helpful!

[StrawberryKiss 170]

Thank you! That was really helpful!

No problem! The link I posted doesn't seem to be working - I don't know why But just go to that travel.state.gov website and look for medical examination/vaccinations for immigrant visas and there should be the updated version of the requirements.

[mccartna 19]

No problem! The link I posted doesn't seem to be working - I don't know why But just go to that travel.state.gov website and look for medical examination/vaccinations for immigrant visas and there should be the updated version of the requirements.

Yeah I saw it and I already got it working, thanks. For some reason it adds some numbers and letters when you click on it. Here's the good one:

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/vaccinations.html

My question is if, in case that I am missing any vaccine (which I'm sure I am)... do they give them to you right away in the clinic during the medical examination? Would this delay the medical approve for the visa?

[StrawberryKiss 170]

Yeah I saw it and I already got it working, thanks. For some reason it adds some numbers and letters when you click on it. Here's the good one:

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/vaccinations.html

My question is if, in case that I am missing any vaccine (which I'm sure I am)... do they give them to you right away in the clinic during the medical examination? Would this delay the medical approve for the visa?

I haven't had my medical yet (next week), but the way it works here is that they give you the missing vaccinations at the medical, which usually doesn't delay anything. If you need to get follow up (second round) shots a few weeks later, you are actually able to do that in the States after your arrival (voluntarily). Only if they found something on your chest x-rays and it could be TB (or showing you recently had TB), they would need to run extra tests, which delays the medical/visa approval.

However, if you know you're missing certain vaccinations or boosters, I'd suggest getting them from your local physician now as that is usually way cheaper than having it done at the medical exam. Just make sure you have proof of having received those vaccinations.

[StrawberryKiss 170]

Also, don't make the mistake thinking that you need to get all of the vaccinations listed on the website (like me ). I didn't receive some of them when I was a child, e.g. Hib or Rotavirus, because it wasn't common at that time. And nowadays, they are only given to children of a certain age, but not to adults. Here is a link from a Canadian panel physician regarding which vaccinations are needed from age 18 to 64.

http://www.panelphysicians.com/Pages/Age6.htm

[mccartna 19]

Thanks @StrawberryKiss for all your help and information. Unfortunately we just got a checklist from the NVC regarding the AoS package so I won't be dealing with the interview nor the medical examination any time soon... We are pretty bummed

[StrawberryKiss 170]

Thanks @StrawberryKiss for all your help and information. Unfortunately we just got a checklist from the NVC regarding the AoS package so I won't be dealing with the interview nor the medical examination any time soon... We are pretty bummed

You're welcome! Oh no, that sucks. We also got a checklist for AOS back in July. I know how you feel, but don't let that bring you down! NVC has become a little faster as for reviewing checklists (hopefully due to the new fees). Distract yourself a little bit and focus on stuff you need to assemble for the interview (e.g. bona fide relationship evidence) and medical (e.g. records).