Missing vaccinations at medical (CR1 visa)

[Crouch 4]

Hello,

 

I would like to ask for your opinions about required vaccinations for CR1 Visa (interview scheduled in Prague, Czech Republic)

 

I understand that based on my age (30) I am required to get the following vaccinations before my medical - please correct me if I am wrong.

 

TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) - from the records it seems I do not have Pertussis vaccination

MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) - I have all vaccinations

Varicella - I had Chickenpox when I was little, I assume I should be fine

Influenza - I do not have vaccination

 

So I called the approved doctor to ask about the process regarding necessary vaccinations. They told me they would just mark that I do not have them on the form for the embassy - they do not administer the vaccinations at the medical. They also added that "if you have Tetanus vaccination, you should be fine for the embassy interview". Is this a common approach? Or is it country specific? Or complete BS? 

 

My other question is - what would happen at the embassy interview if they find out I do not have some of the vaccinations? Would that be a denial until I get them? Would that mean new medical examination?

 

I assume the best way will be to get the missing Pertussis and Influenza vaccinations before the medical. However, the answer from the doctor completely surprised and confused me - I would expect the doctor would make sure I have all the necessary vaccinations (considering the cost of the medical exam and also the fact that I would  receive "green card" valid for 10 years upon my arrival in the USA) or at least tell me to get them! I would appreciate opinions from people who have more insight in this 🙂

 

Thank you very much!

 

[EM_Vandaveer 2,364]

I'm not sure about the vaccine issue. I just wanted to comment that you only receive a 10-year GC if you've been married for two years at the time you enter the US on your spousal visa.

 

Otherwise you receive a 2-year GC and have to file for ROC (Removal of Conditions) in the 90-day window before it expires in order to get your 10-year GC.

 

I can see from your timeline that it's possible for you to receive a 10-year GC, but only if you delay entering the US until after your second wedding anniversary.

Edited January 11, 2019 by EM_Vandaveer

[C90 376]

I did K1, so I can only share that experience with you. The influenza shot is only for certain seasons. I had my medical March 2018, and the doctor marked on the form that the shot was not available because it's not flu season. Never had a flu shot before, this didn't cause any troubles at my interview or the AOS process so far. 

If you had varicella you don't need a shot for that. As long as you had all the other shots, you should be fine  

 

Also, keep in mind that this doctor is specially hired by the embassy and is expected to know all the requirements. I think he/she would get in trouble if he/she makes huge mistakes like this, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. Once you have your medical, just ask the doctor this question again (usually you talk to the assistant on the phone, ask any concern once you're in the doctors office)

Edited January 11, 2019 by C90

[EM_Vandaveer 2,364]

4 minutes ago, C90 said:

I did K1, so I can only share that experience with you. The influenza shot is only for certain seasons. I had my medical March 2018, and the doctor marked on the form that the shot was not available because it's not flu season. Never had a flu shot before, this didn't cause any troubles at my interview or the AOS process so far. 

If you had varicella you don't need a shot for that. As long as you had all the other shots, you should be fine  

It's January now. Still flu season. OP presumably needs the flu shot.

Edited January 11, 2019 by EM_Vandaveer

[Just Paul 4,591]

At the time of the medical they will give you what they think you need.   Once it it sent to the embassy you won't have any issues.

 

Don't get anything ahead of time.   The doctors do what they want.

[C90 376]

Just now, EM_Vandaveer said:

It's January now. Still flu season. OP presumably needs to flu shot.

Also depends on the country (in the Netherlands I know people that got their medical December/January and still didn't get the flu shot, apparently it's different from the US) If she needs the flu shot, I'm sure the doctor would give it to her (I guess she talked to the assistant on the phone, they sometimes just say stuff that's not completely accurate lol)

[EM_Vandaveer 2,364]

Just now, C90 said:

Also depends on the country (in the Netherlands I know people that got their medical December/January and still didn't get the flu shot, apparently it's different from the US) If she needs the flu shot, I'm sure the doctor would give it to her (I guess she talked to the assistant on the phone, they sometimes just say stuff that's not completely accurate lol)

For sure. I don't think OP is required to get any shots ahead of the medical.

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

4 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

At the time of the medical they will give you what they think you need.   Once it it sent to the embassy you won't have any issues.

 

Don't get anything ahead of time.   The doctors do what they want.

This. We got exempted from some due to age, and even from another due to a nationwide shortage in our country. If the medical is marked fine the visa will be approved. Occasionally the visa will have an annotation for the person to follow up on something when they land in the US.

[Crouch 4]

Thank you all for your quick replies.

 

The thing is the doctor made it very clear they do not do any vaccinations at the medical. The only thing they can do is Tetanus. I find this very strange.

 

I understand that there could be a requirement that I should get the missing vaccinations once I am in the US - however I would rather avoid this option - there will be many more issues to worry about once I arrive🙂

 

I am planning the leave in July, after our 2Y anniversary. I just do not want any unnecessary problems/setbacks

 

All feedback is much appreciated!

[Just Paul 4,591]

1 minute ago, Crouch said:

I am planning the leave in July,

Just remember the entry date must be before the 6  month anniversary of the medical, not the interview.

 

Don't worry about the shots in the US.   Flu and Tetanus shots are pretty cheap if not free.

[C90 376]

Just now, Crouch said:

Thank you all for your quick replies.

 

The thing is the doctor made it very clear they do not do any vaccinations at the medical. The only thing they can do is Tetanus. I find this very strange.

 

I understand that there could be a requirement that I should get the missing vaccinations once I am in the US - however I would rather avoid this option - there will be many more issues to worry about once I arrive🙂

 

I am planning the leave in July, after our 2Y anniversary. I just do not want any unnecessary problems/setbacks

 

All feedback is much appreciated!

They don't do them in general or you got everything you need already? If they refuse to do anything at all, do they at least give you a clear sheet of the shots you need? It sounds a little strange that a medical doctor working with people for the embassy doesn't give out the right vaccines or tells you what you should get. Most countries give the necessary shots at medical if you didn't have them yet. 

FYI, like other people said, I wouldn't worry about it too much (I know its hard now). The doctor wouldn't put your visa on the line and flu shots are free with most insurances here  

Edited January 11, 2019 by C90

[Crouch 4]

17 minutes ago, C90 said:

They don't do them in general or you got everything you need already? If they refuse to do anything at all, do they at least give you a clear sheet of the shots you need? It sounds a little strange that a medical doctor working with people for the embassy doesn't give out the right vaccines or tells you what you should get. Most countries give the necessary shots at medical if you didn't have them yet. 

FYI, like other people said, I wouldn't worry about it too much (I know its hard now). The doctor wouldn't put your visa on the line and flu shots are free with most insurances here  

That is the strange thing - I was told they do not do them in general (except tetanus). They will just mark I do not have the vaccinations on the form for the embassy, that's it. Maybe somebody from the Czech Republic can clarify this?

 

BTW I had to find out online which shots I need. The doctor mentioned that Hepatitis B  is necessary (which I think is untrue). And I talked to both the medical assistant and the doctor. It just seems to me they did not give me correct info.

 

Thank you for your replies. Somehow I just find it hard not to worry about it  

[Nafis8 115]

I got a list of vaccines I had at  hospital in my hometown and my doctor said that according to the list I still need some according to the table below because of age requirements. So If you didn't get any of Hepatitis shots till you are 7 then you don't need them anymore. But if you got  Td/Tdap  more than 10 years ago then probably you will need to renew it. So If you don't need them here for visa you'll still need to get them in US. My friend who also left with K1 had to get Tdap and varicella shots there. May be this table will help you

[bakphx1 785]

I remember in filling out the form that you had to check that the immigrant had all vaccines OR would have them administered at the medical exam.  There wasn’t a third option that involved issuing a CR1 without all vaccines.  I agree with OP this doesn’t sound right.

[Crouch 4]

4 hours ago, bakphx1 said:

I remember in filling out the form that you had to check that the immigrant had all vaccines OR would have them administered at the medical exam.  There wasn’t a third option that involved issuing a CR1 without all vaccines.  I agree with OP this doesn’t sound right.

Thank you for your reply. I looked up the form I-693 and one of the options that the civil surgeon can check is "Applicant does not meet immunization requirements". I really don't want that option checked on my form.

The doctors at the medical do not administer any vaccinations, therefore I would say I will need to have my shots ahead my medical exam (in that case I do not know why the medical exam costs over  $300 here)