Vaccines for medical exam -- catch up in advance?

[US/EU_in_Czech 6]

Hey all!

 

I've just filed the I-130 yesterday, but I'm thinking ahead to the next steps. I'm wondering if it'd make sense for my wife to begin getting the vaccines that she'll need in order to pass the medical exam. We have her vaccine history from her home country, and after we translate it, we'll know what she has and what she needs.

 

Should we start catching her up now, or just wait until the exam? Some of the vaccines need multiple doses over several months, and I'd hate for that to delay us if we can take care of it now.

[Loren Y 2,732]

It's all personal preference, but with my fiancee, I did a K1 Visa, she started the vaccinations asap because like you said, some are multiple shots over 6-9 months. This way she got her vaccination record marked complete at the medical exam, so no need to get any vaccinations when she arrives in the US. I did this specifically to save money, as the vaccinations in Thailand for everything possible, what was required, and anything else available from the red Cross was only 130.00 us dollars complete. First series was like 70, then a few more around 30 each. So everything completed for less than 1 shot of the mmr series here in the United States. If they are cheaper there, or possibly even free, get them done. Just my opinion, but it made sense to me. In order to pass the medical you only need 1 of each series as I recall, but it's to everyone's benefit to have them done and complete. One less thing to worry about later. I even picked up a few vaccinations while I was there.

[US/EU_in_Czech 6]

3 minutes ago, Loren Y said:

It's all personal preference, but with my fiancee, I did a K1 Visa, she started the vaccinations asap because like you said, some are multiple shots over 6-9 months. This way she got her vaccination record marked complete at the medical exam, so no need to get any vaccinations when she arrives in the US. I did this specifically to save money, as the vaccinations in Thailand for everything possible, what was required, and anything else available from the red Cross was only 130.00 us dollars complete. First series was like 70, then a few more around 30 each. So everything completed for less than 1 shot of the mmr series here in the United States. If they are cheaper there, or possibly even free, get them done. Just my opinion, but it made sense to me. In order to pass the medical you only need 1 of each series as I recall, but it's to everyone's benefit to have them done and complete. One less thing to worry about later. I even picked up a few vaccinations while I was there.

Thanks! We just got an unrelated vaccine yesterday, so after we get over the reaction from that one, we'll get her started on the US requirements.

[Loren Y 2,732]

5 minutes ago, US/EU_in_Czech said:

Thanks! We just got an unrelated vaccine yesterday, so after we get over the reaction from that one, we'll get her started on the US requirements.

Sounds good. Another reason to get them done before the exam is their prices are usually inflated because they have you over the fire so to speak, you're there and need them done. Look for a red Cross or other type of organization that will offer them cheaper than at the exam.

 I believe in the Philippines it really doesn't matter because they include the vaccinations in the cost of the medical, so you might want to check that out also. Maybe your medical will include them in the price.

Edited March 12, 2019 by Loren Y

[US/EU_in_Czech 6]

1 minute ago, Loren Y said:

Sounds good. Another reason to get them done before the exam is their prices are usually inflated because they have you over the fire so to speak, you're there and need them done. Look for a red Cross or other type of organization that will offer them cheaper than at the exam.

 I believe in the Philippines it really doesn't matter because they include the vaccinations in the cost of the medical, so you might want to check that out also.

We're in Europe and on the state insurance, so it'll depend on whether or not it's covered. If not, we have to buy the vaccine direct from the pharmacy, but it's not bad. The one we just did was around $40 per dose.

[LilyJ 1,258]

She will only need about 4 vaccines in actuality, if she doesn't have them already. If you are talking about the Hep B vaccine, she doesn't need that. Only visa applicants 18 years old or younger need to get the Hep B vaccine.
Here is the list, along with a table of what vaccines are needed and what are not, based on age.
https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/civil/vaccination-civil-technical-instructions.html#tbl1

[US/EU_in_Czech 6]

9 hours ago, LilyJohansen said:

She will only need about 4 vaccines in actuality, if she doesn't have them already. If you are talking about the Hep B vaccine, she doesn't need that. Only visa applicants 18 years old or younger need to get the Hep B vaccine.
Here is the list, along with a table of what vaccines are needed and what are not, based on age.
https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/civil/vaccination-civil-technical-instructions.html#tbl1

Thanks! This is super helpful. I thought she'd have to get everything that she didn't already have.

[US/EU_in_Czech 6]

On 3/13/2019 at 1:35 AM, LilyJohansen said:

She will only need about 4 vaccines in actuality, if she doesn't have them already. If you are talking about the Hep B vaccine, she doesn't need that. Only visa applicants 18 years old or younger need to get the Hep B vaccine.
Here is the list, along with a table of what vaccines are needed and what are not, based on age.
https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/civil/vaccination-civil-technical-instructions.html#tbl1

Turns out we only need to get one, for Varicella. I feel like most Americans don't even get that—don't you just suffer through chicken pox as a kid instead?

[NikLR 13,220]

On 3/16/2019 at 5:54 PM, US/EU_in_Czech said:

Turns out we only need to get one, for Varicella. I feel like most Americans don't even get that—don't you just suffer through chicken pox as a kid instead?

Most kids no longer get chicken pox because of the vaccine.  If you've had chicken pox you can declare that and you dont need the varicella vx. For instance my kiddo had the vx as a baby and has never had chicken pox.  But i had it as a baby and just declared it so didnt need the vx. I have a chicken pox scar as proof too (and a titre test. Lol) 

 

Even if you gotten chicken pox, as an adult it's a good idea to have the varicella vx later in life to prevent shingles. 

Edited March 20, 2019 by NikLR

[US/EU_in_Czech 6]

15 minutes ago, NikLR said:

Even if you gotten chicken pox, as an adult it's a good idea to have the varicella vx later in life to prevent shingles. 

Good point, maybe we'll both get it!

[Ryan H 3,790]

~~~Hijack post and reply to said post removed.~~~

[NikLR 13,220]

20 hours ago, US/EU_in_Czech said:

Good point, maybe we'll both get it!

Wait until youre like 40 or 50.  I forget when is the ideal age to booster your immunity. 

[KJ2 230]

On 3/12/2019 at 12:30 PM, US/EU_in_Czech said:

Hey all!

 

I've just filed the I-130 yesterday, but I'm thinking ahead to the next steps. I'm wondering if it'd make sense for my wife to begin getting the vaccines that she'll need in order to pass the medical exam. We have her vaccine history from her home country, and after we translate it, we'll know what she has and what she needs.

 

Should we start catching her up now, or just wait until the exam? Some of the vaccines need multiple doses over several months, and I'd hate for that to delay us if we can take care of it now.

I would start them now if you can get them cheaper.  The 'official' medical exam places tend to up charge vaccines just because they can!  I am almost a physician assistant (2 months to go yay) so I knew what to have my husband get.  Although not all are going to be totally necessary, for example Hep A and rotavirus won't be given to an adult, I would advise she/ he gets the major series if they have not already had them- MMR, Hep B, varicella if she/ he hasn't had chicken pox  (varicella does not prevent shingles if you have had chicken pox as a child).  I say this more to keep your spouse safe here in the USA where not everyone has been vaccinating lately. 

 

Anyway, CDC posts an adult catch-up schedule that is extremely easy to follow.  I attached the adult catch-up schedule below, good luck!!

 

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html

[Bengoj 133]

On 3/12/2019 at 8:35 PM, LilyJohansen said:

She will only need about 4 vaccines in actuality, if she doesn't have them already. If you are talking about the Hep B vaccine, she doesn't need that. Only visa applicants 18 years old or younger need to get the Hep B vaccine.
Here is the list, along with a table of what vaccines are needed and what are not, based on age.
https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/civil/vaccination-civil-technical-instructions.html#tbl1

So for a male over 30 all he needs is the dtap?  I thought it was more. 

[KJ2 230]

37 minutes ago, Gojo said:

So for a male over 30 all he needs is the dtap?  I thought it was more. 

They will likely want more. I had my husband follow the adult vaccine catch-up schedule that we follow in my US medical school. He didn't need any vaccines at the medical exam he just had last week.