Medical Exam amd Vaccinations

[C&AH 104]

There is another thread on this but not specific to our case. So, I'm posting my question here so as to not hijack another posting.  

 

I'm a bit confused about the medical exam. Does my wife need her vaccinations (Hep B, mumps, etc) BEFORE the medical exam or are they taken care of at that time? I'm not sure but I think she already is current on them.  Does she present shot records to the physician at the medical exam?

 

If it is something done during the medical exam, is there an extra fee? (How much?) The embassy is in the Dominican Republic. 

 

Thank you for helping us prepare.

 

Edited August 2, 2018 by C&AH

[Loren Y 2,768]

Yes, you want to bring any vaccination records that you have. Any you are missing or that the doctor thinks you need they can administer them at the exam. In most cases the vaccinations cost more when you get them done at the exam, that's why most people try to get them done before the medical exam and just bring the records with them. 

[David & Diana R 1,005]

35 minutes ago, C&AH said:

There is another thread on this but not specific to our case. So, I'm posting my question here so as to not hijack another posting.  

 

I'm a bit confused about the medical exam. Does my wife need her vaccinations (Hep B, mumps, etc) BEFORE the medical exam or are they taken care of at that time? I'm not sure but I think she already is current on them.  Does she present shot records to the physician at the medical exam?

 

If it is something done during the medical exam, is there an extra fee? (How much?) The embassy is in the Dominican Republic. 

 

Thank you for helping us prepare.

 

I can only speak for the Philippines.  I was ready to have my wife running to the doctors before her medical at St. Luke's in Manila.  I then found out that the immunizations are included in the medical exam at no extra charge.  However, your spouse should bring any and all records she has, if any, of immunizations she has had throughout her lifetime if at all possible.  You might find a long list somewhere of all the "required" immunizations but do not fear.  Many of those immunizations do not apply to everyone.  Good luck and God Bless, david

[David & Diana R 1,005]

22 minutes ago, Loren Y said:

Yes, you want to bring any vaccination records that you have. Any you are missing or that the doctor thinks you need they can administer them at the exam. In most cases the vaccinations cost more when you get them done at the exam, that's why most people try to get them done before the medical exam and just bring the records with them. 

This doesn't apply to the Philippines.  The general hospital there wanted to give my spouse like 15 immunizations. (The hospital would have made a bunch of money on all these unnecessary immunizations but alas, sometimes it's all about the money in these countries.   As it turned out she only had to have 3 or 4 and being that the immunizations are included with the exam it is a no-brainer.

Edited August 2, 2018 by David & Zoila

[De&E 15]

Immunizations are NOT included in the cost of the exam in the Dominican Republic.  You should check the list of required immunizations, match it against her records, and try to obtain them before she goes for her exam, as this will be much less expensive.  

 

She has probably received all/most of them already, with the exception of maybe needing the flu shot, depending on the date of her interview.

[Loren Y 2,768]

1 hour ago, David & Zoila said:

This doesn't apply to the Philippines.  The general hospital there wanted to give my spouse like 15 immunizations. (The hospital would have made a bunch of money on all these unnecessary immunizations but alas, sometimes it's all about the money in these countries.   As it turned out she only had to have 3 or 4 and being that the immunizations are included with the exam it is a no-brainer.

Ok, other than corrupt money hungry gouging hospitals, it is cheaper to get them done before the exam. I went with my fiancee to the Thai red Cross in Bangkok and actually when I saw how cheap the vaccinations we're, I got her everyone they offered, and I even picked up a few myself. She goes back later this month for the last of the 3 shot series vaccinations. But getting her everything was just about 100 USD. I grabbed 40 bucks worth of vaccinations I'll probably never use but the price is right. Look around the DR forums or maybe someone will come by here and give you a few ideas. I say look for a red Cross type clinic.

[C&AH 104]

The problem is that she doesn't have her shot records and said it might be difficult to get them from a hospital/clinic in the DR since many of their systems are antiquated. She doesn't  know which vaccinations she has had. I checked a website for the embassy medical clinic DR and the vaccines are over $800. Incredible.

[Mary Lou 682]

1 hour ago, C&AH said:

The problem is that she doesn't have her shot records and said it might be difficult to get them from a hospital/clinic in the DR since many of their systems are antiquated. She doesn't  know which vaccinations she has had. I checked a website for the embassy medical clinic DR and the vaccines are over $800. Incredible.

My husband has his medical in October 2017, his medical with vaccines was $417. There are two civil surgeons she can go to, one of them is a bit cheaper for whatever reason. I have read, even if they have vaccine records, she may get them again.

Edited August 2, 2018 by Mary Lou
add info

[De&E 15]

1 hour ago, C&AH said:

The problem is that she doesn't have her shot records and said it might be difficult to get them from a hospital/clinic in the DR since many of their systems are antiquated. She doesn't  know which vaccinations she has had. I checked a website for the embassy medical clinic DR and the vaccines are over $800. Incredible.

This is what I found last month when I was doing some research and trying to prepare for my husband's medical exam.  He claims to have had all of his immunizations, but just in case the records were incomplete, i wanted to be prepared. 

 

http://www.serviciosmedicosconsulares.com

 

There is a price list for vaccinations, and while they are more expensive than going to a local clinic, if she can't provide any records at all, the cost should be less than $200 USD.  She doesn't need every vaccine listed, only the age appropriate ones listed on the cdc website.  

 

[C&AH 104]

10 minutes ago, De&E said:

This is what I found last month when I was doing some research and trying to prepare for my husband's medical exam.  He claims to have had all of his immunizations, but just in case the records were incomplete, i wanted to be prepared. 

 

http://www.serviciosmedicosconsulares.com

 

There is a price list for vaccinations, and while they are more expensive than going to a local clinic, if she can't provide any records at all, the cost should be less than $200 USD.  She doesn't need every vaccine listed, only the age appropriate ones listed on the cdc website.  

 

 

10 minutes ago, De&E said:

This is what I found last month when I was doing some research and trying to prepare for my husband's medical exam.  He claims to have had all of his immunizations, but just in case the records were incomplete, i wanted to be prepared. 

 

http://www.serviciosmedicosconsulares.com

 

There is a price list for vaccinations, and while they are more expensive than going to a local clinic, if she can't provide any records at all, the cost should be less than $200 USD.  She doesn't need every vaccine listed, only the age appropriate ones listed on the cdc website.  

 

So, can she go to a local clinic to get the vaccines? She thinks they won't accept vaccination records from a local clinic. Please help.

 

[De&E 15]

4 minutes ago, C&AH said:

So, can she go to a local clinic to get the vaccines? She thinks they won't accept vaccination records from a local clinic. Please help.

I don't know what city she is in, but if she is concerned with them accepting records from her local clinic (which I'm sure would be fine), she could go to a more well known clinic like Centro Medico, which has locations all over the country.  

 

 

[Diane and Chris 651]

3 hours ago, Loren Y said:

when I saw how cheap the vaccinations we're, I got her everyone they offered, and I even picked up a few myself.

Yee haw!  Let’s all go down pick us up some vaccines causin they so cheap!  Lol 🤪

[Sav&Har 142]

I did the medical about 2 days ago. And tried to learn as much as I could about what could possibly be the vaccines that they would give (or in the case of my visa type, offer me. They are optional for me at the moment). 

 

The medical exam or test. Is just about $275. Then there is an extra charge for each needed vaccines. As far as I could tell (and at least the place I went, SMC) they don't seem to do additional test to identify which vaccines you need, and rather they rely on questions and the vaccination card you take. I took mine from as old as 1994-1996. And they used that to tell me those vaccines were expired (which I knew before hand, but I took it anyway), so it seems like they are not picky with which clinic or "trustable place" the vaccination card is from.

 

So anyway, back to your post. As other have said. Before the medical exam try to find the cheapest place where she/he can get them and make sure they get a vaccination record of them. Then take that to the medical exam.

 

As to finding out which vaccines your spouse might need, based on the age. A good rule of thumb way is looking at this chart (search for Vaccination Chart) that even USCIS adjudicators use. This gives you an idea of what vaccines she/he might be taken. But also note that is is not 100% accurate, the doctor at the medical exam might determine, based on any ilness you spouse might have the need for any other that is not on her age appropriate row. 

 

[Kyle&Ana 718]

On 8/2/2018 at 2:04 AM, Sav&Har said:

I did the medical about 2 days ago. And tried to learn as much as I could about what could possibly be the vaccines that they would give (or in the case of my visa type, offer me. They are optional for me at the moment). 

 

The medical exam or test. Is just about $275. Then there is an extra charge for each needed vaccines. As far as I could tell (and at least the place I went, SMC) they don't seem to do additional test to identify which vaccines you need, and rather they rely on questions and the vaccination card you take. I took mine from as old as 1994-1996. And they used that to tell me those vaccines were expired (which I knew before hand, but I took it anyway), so it seems like they are not picky with which clinic or "trustable place" the vaccination card is from.

 

So anyway, back to your post. As other have said. Before the medical exam try to find the cheapest place where she/he can get them and make sure they get a vaccination record of them. Then take that to the medical exam.

 

As to finding out which vaccines your spouse might need, based on the age. A good rule of thumb way is looking at this chart (search for Vaccination Chart) that even USCIS adjudicators use. This gives you an idea of what vaccines she/he might be taken. But also note that is is not 100% accurate, the doctor at the medical exam might determine, based on any ilness you spouse might have the need for any other that is not on her age appropriate row. 

 

Great information, i m from santo domingo province, i have heard about places that do it for free.... Do you know any?

Edited August 3, 2018 by Kyle&Ana

[David & Diana R 1,005]

On 8/1/2018 at 7:51 PM, Diane and Chris said:

Yee haw!  Let’s all go down pick us up some vaccines causin they so cheap!  Lol 🤪

Well, golly gee willikers!!!  I'll take six of each!  Hot dam!