Immunizations & AOS Question(s)

[etripke 0]

Hi everyone. I am about to send in for my K-1 who is currently in Ukraine. I realize I am getting the "cart before the horse" but I am trying to think ahead for next fall when I expect she and her 10 year old daughter come over.

I guess I don't quite understand exactly how the immunization issue works. I know that as a K-1 recipient she and her daughter will not need the vaccinations until AOS. In Ukraine, they are not vaccinating for Hep B for instance, and this is a 4 month process to receive the entire 3 shot series. Does this mean that if she does not have this done prior to coming over, we will have to wait the entire 4 months before adjusting status? Our goal is to marry and begin the process as soon as possible once she arrives as well as file for the work permit at the same time.

So, I guess the questions are:

1. Do you have to wait until ALL vaccinations are completed before filing?

2. Are there any of you who have been in a similar spot with this?

I have discussed this with my fiancee, and after she spoke to a State Clinic she was told she would have to see a private clinic (she lives in Kyiv) for this series. If we have to wait before filing, then I would guess it is better that she and her daughter get these vaccines now and have them recorded properly.

Thanks for any advice anyone can offer.

Edited March 15, 2007 by etripke

[mybackpages 0]

This wont address all your questions, but my husband had all the vaccines needed for AOS when he went in for the medical for the K1 interview except varicella (chickenpox).

It certainly was cheaper to get the immunizations there rather than here. At the medical you ask for the DOS vaccine supplement copy. Once you arrive in the US, you take the DOS form to a US civil surgeon to transcribe those vaccines to the Dept Homeland Security Immigration medical supplement (cost for us was $15). The civil surgeon told us the varicella was required for AOS and we didn't have evidence he had chickenpox, so we opted to go to the health clinic and get the variccella vaccine. It's a 2 vaccine series (30 days appart). The civil surgeon said it was not necessary to show both vaccines- only that the first one had been given.

Our civil surgeon was very helpful and was willing to call and verify with her superiors about what was needed in our case. Maybe you can find one who is as helpful in figuring out how this will be handled once you are here.

[etripke 0]

One of the concerns I have is that if we have to wait for the AOS, then we will get slammed with the new fee schedule AND have to pay additional for the work permit since we would be able to file that before the AOS. Otherwise from what I read the new fee schedule (which will most likely be in effect later this year) includes the WP and AP as part of the fee. She will not have to work, but I know she'll get stir crazy if she has to wait too long.

[flutter95 4]

Well with the K-1 visa the medical exam is done prior to the interview. To the interview she will take her vaccine history with her and at the medical they will decide what you do/do not need to have if you haven't already looked at this yourself. In the UK where I am from they did not do the Hep B shot but you CAN get it if asked for, I started it in the UK and the nurse at the medical said aslong as its STARTED its ok thats all the embassy needs to know is that its being started, and then I've finished it in the US.

Hope this helpls you.