Can the flu jab be avoided?

[londongal 17]

Apologies if I've posted this in the wrong forum board.

I just wanted to check if anyone has had any luck with avoiding having the flu jab done. I anticipate that my medical might be Dec/Jan and that this falls within the flu season. However, I'm really against the flu jab and don't want it done. Is there any way around this?

[Unidentified 2,930]

Apologies if I've posted this in the wrong forum board.

I just wanted to check if anyone has had any luck with avoiding having the flu jab done. I anticipate that my medical might be Dec/Jan and that this falls within the flu season. However, I'm really against the flu jab and don't want it done. Is there any way around this?

I don't know how strict they are with the flu shots but if they are as strict as with the other I'd say your only option is to now have your medical during flu season. There's waivers but they cost money and usually is if you have religious reasons or you oppose ALL forms of vaccines, not just the flu vaccine. I'm anti flu vaccine as well and I had my medical when it was not the flu season.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Apologies if I've posted this in the wrong forum board.

I just wanted to check if anyone has had any luck with avoiding having the flu jab done. I anticipate that my medical might be Dec/Jan and that this falls within the flu season. However, I'm really against the flu jab and don't want it done. Is there any way around this?

You don't have to have any shots to get a K1 visa, but getting all of them recorded on your vaccination sheet at Knightsbridge means you won't have to pay again for a civil surgeon in the U.S. to certify your immunizations for adjustment of status.

But let's say you got the Tdap and MMR accounted for on your Knightsbridge DS-3025, and varicella waived by stating you had chickenpox, but did not get a flu jab even though it is flu season. During adjustment of status if the adjudicator picks up your case to review/approve anytime between April 1 to Sept 30 (not flu season), then no flu shot is required. During that time window, the only adult shots that have to be considered are MMR, Tdap/Td, and varicella. If your timing gets lucky, then you could get by skipping the flu shot. But if things are slow with your AOS, then flu season 2016 could roll around before approval and you could be asked to get a flu shot either by RFE (if no interview required) or by your AOS interviewer. if you feel that strongly about it, then skip the shot and hope the AOS approval timing works out. If not then get the shot when they force you but keep in mind you would also have to pay a civil surgeon to fill out an I-693.

A few fun threads about civil surgeons from people who did not get shots done in advance of their visa medical.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/541758-i-693-merged/?p=7535232

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/518446-civil-surgeons-what-a-joke/?p=7289206

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/462793-medical-again-in-usa-due-to-incomplete-vaccination-record/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/461012-medical-exam-for-aos-after-k1/

Edited November 4, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[Transborderwife 4,666]

In short, during flu season no

[k_stacky 65]

Unfortunately there is very little, if any way, to avoid it if it falls during flu season. It is a requirement if you're filing during flu season and better to get it now and have it over with than to pay for it in America. I got mine a few weeks ago and it was dreadful because I too am very much against it, but it was a necessary evil to be able to be with the person I love.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Unfortunately there is very little, if any way, to avoid it if it falls during flu season. It is a requirement if you're filing during flu season and better to get it now and have it over with than to pay for it in America. I got mine a few weeks ago and it was dreadful because I too am very much against it, but it was a necessary evil to be able to be with the person I love.

You can file for AOS in flu season without a flu shot.

Example those K1s who got all their shots recorded on the visa medical when it was not flu season. Their DS-3025 would have the waiver "not flu season" marked. That waiver stands, even if AOS is filed or adjudicated during flu season.

And as explained above, if the AOS is adjudicated when it is not flu season, then it doesn't matter if there was a flu shot or not, nor does it matter when the AOS was mailed off. So there are some timing loopholes to immigrate without a flu shot. Unfortunately timing during immigration is impossible to control.

[heo luoi 206]

Is 'jab' a british thing? thats kinda awesome.

[goolia 54]

Not to hijack this thread but now I'm a bit confused. My medical was in mid-October and as such I don't believe I fell into flu season? (If I did, the doctor certainly made no mention of it). Does that sound accurate and if so does that mean I won't need one later for AOS? If it saves me the hassle later on, I'd rather just get it now.

[Unidentified 2,930]

Not to hijack this thread but now I'm a bit confused. My medical was in mid-October and as such I don't believe I fell into flu season? (If I did, the doctor certainly made no mention of it). Does that sound accurate and if so does that mean I won't need one later for AOS? If it saves me the hassle later on, I'd rather just get it now.

"The timing of flu is very unpredictable and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season. Most seasonal flu activity typically occurs between October and May. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the United States between December and February."

If they adjudicate your AOS during flu season you might have to get the flu shot anyway.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Not to hijack this thread but now I'm a bit confused. My medical was in mid-October and as such I don't believe I fell into flu season? (If I did, the doctor certainly made no mention of it). Does that sound accurate and if so does that mean I won't need one later for AOS? If it saves me the hassle later on, I'd rather just get it now.

Flu season for USCIS starts Oct 1. At this point, you are past getting a shot recorded on your DS-3025 immunization form so no advantage to do it now really. Your form is already at the embassy and will then be eventually in your AOS file with USCIS. But say you get the visa and marry, and file AOS by the end of this year. Your AOS probably won't be approved by Mar 31 (end of flu season) which would require a shot. So as long as AOS is approved before next Oct 1 (new flu season) you should be fine without a flu shot. Timing is probably on your side.

Edited November 4, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[goolia 54]

Thank you both for your replies!

[MADDEN 40]

It is possible not to have the FLU jab.

When I had my medical I told the DR that after my last FLU jab around 3 years ago I became very sick in the days after so wasn't prepared to have another. He said there wasn't any issue with not having it done.

I also did the medical with my daughter a k2 and told him my reasons for not wanting a fit and healthy child to receive it. When he filled out the immunisation form he simply ticked a box that said "other severe reaction to vaccine" and wrote flu vaccine.

[Torete 121]

Apologies if I've posted this in the wrong forum board.

I just wanted to check if anyone has had any luck with avoiding having the flu jab done. I anticipate that my medical might be Dec/Jan and that this falls within the flu season. However, I'm really against the flu jab and don't want it done. Is there any way around this?

Is it the jab or the shot you're adverse to? If it's the jab, get Flu-mist up your nose instead.

[Pinkrlion 2,611]

We did not get a flu shot and Medical and POE was during flu season, no issues.

[Unidentified 2,930]

Is it the jab or the shot you're adverse to? If it's the jab, get Flu-mist up your nose instead.

Pretty sure OP means all the nasty stuff you can get from the vaccines. I'm all for vaccines but not that one.