K-1 Visa Medical Exam Question: Pertussis Vaccine for 27-Year-Old Male?

[HappyPlace 11]

 

Hi everyone! I’m in the process of helping my fiancé prepare for his K-1 visa, and we recently encountered a little uncertainty regarding the medical exam and vaccinations.

He had his medical exam today, and we learned that the facility doesn’t administer vaccines, so he went ahead and got the MMR, Hep B, and DTP(diphtheria, tetanus, & polio) vaccines (instead of the Tdap (tetanus,  diphtheria and pertussis) yesterday. We realized that he still might be missing the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine.

The doctor was impressed that he was proactive, and said he didn’t need the pertussis vaccine for his visa, but we’re not sure if that applies just to the K-1 visa or the whole Adjustment of Status (AOS) process. We really want to make sure everything is squared away now to avoid any extra costs later when he comes to the U.S.

For anyone who is around the same age (27 or so) and recently went through the K-1 or AOS process, could you share if you were required to get the pertussis vaccine (as part of the Tdap)? Or if it wasn’t necessary for the visa process?

Thanks so much for any insight you can provide!

[MalloryCat 738]

pertussis is required to be given a vaccine for.

 

immigration vaccine requirements by age are listed on table one on the cdc site at this link

 

https://www.cdc.gov/immigrant-refugee-health/hcp/panel-physicians/vaccination.html

 

the tdap  is listed as a required vaccine for those aged 18-64, unless it was within 10 years of his last dose (if he had ever received one after 10 years of age) - https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/adult-notes.html#note-tdap

 

your fiance should have received a copy of form DS-3025 from his panel physician. the panel physician could have marked the tdap as not age appropriate

but there is a box that should be marked that says "k-1 applicant voluntarily received all vaccinations" or something like that, I can't remember the exact wording

 

 

 

[yuna628 9,875]

Mind you the following is a bit out of date but the information regarding TDP/Tdap/TD applies.

 

Quote

Here are the shots needed for 19 through 59 years of age:

• Td or Tdap - Tetanus/diptheria/pertussis or get DT, DTP or DtaP and it will be accepted. The latest shot must be no longer than 10 years ago or you need a booster. In the UK they will give Revaxis which is Tetanus/diphtheria +polio. Adults don’t need polio for immigration but that’s the combo available in the UK. They don’t have a Tetanus and diphtheria only jab like Adacel given in the US.  
• MMR - (if born in 1957 or later)-Mumps/measles/rubella.  It's two doses in your life, but if you get the first dose, and 4 weeks haven't passed by your medical, they will waive the second dose for "insufficient time interval". If you only had one dose as a child, get a second one before the medical.
• Varicella - Not routinely given in the UK. A history of having chickenpox excuses you from the shot. They take your word for it at the visa medical exam. They will also waive the shot in the UK for "not routinely available". 
• Influenza - Required during flu season only, October 1 through March 31.  If your medical is not during flu season, you don't need it. 
• Hepatitis B - required for all applicants up to 59 years old. 
• COVID-19 vaccine - Completely vaccinated with primary dose 1&2. No boosters required at this time.(New starting 1-Oct-2021).

The question about TD vs other formulations comes up over the years... just nod, smile, and move on. Doesn't matter the formulation, you got what they accept. Now if you'd like for your own personal benefit to get pertussis on your own, you can do that, but otherwise don't worry about it. The important thing is do you have the DS-3025 and are you marked as complete?

[HappyPlace 11]

15 minutes ago, MalloryCat said:

pertussis is required to be given a vaccine for.

 

immigration vaccine requirements by age are listed on table one on the cdc site at this link

 

https://www.cdc.gov/immigrant-refugee-health/hcp/panel-physicians/vaccination.html

 

the tdap  is listed as a required vaccine for those aged 18-64, unless it was within 10 years of his last dose (if he had ever received one after 10 years of age) - https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/adult-notes.html#note-tdap

 

your fiance should have received a copy of form DS-3025 from his panel physician. the panel physician could have marked the tdap as not age appropriate

but there is a box that should be marked that says "k-1 applicant voluntarily received all vaccinations" or something like that, I can't remember the exact wording

 

 

 

Thank you for your quick reply,
he hasn’t taken a Tdap vaccine in the last 10 years. He wasn’t given any document from the panel physician, our guess is he’s going to get that when he goes to pick up his report package. Guess we will just work on getting him take the Tdap.

Thank you once again!

[HappyPlace 11]

8 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

Mind you the following is a bit out of date but the information regarding TDP/Tdap/TD applies.

 

The question about TD vs other formulations comes up over the years... just nod, smile, and move on. Doesn't matter the formulation, you got what they accept. Now if you'd like for your own personal benefit to get pertussis on your own, you can do that, but otherwise don't worry about it. The important thing is do you have the DS-3025 and are you marked as complete?

No we did not receive a DS-3025 atleast not yet. That’s why we are unsure about where we stand.

[yuna628 9,875]

2 minutes ago, HappyPlace said:

No we did not receive a DS-3025 atleast not yet. That’s why we are unsure about where we stand.

You needed to leave the premises with the DS-3025. I would call or email your medical location and request they send your copy immediately. You will have bigger issues without it.

 

You will need a copy for your AOS application.

Edited May 13 by yuna628

[MalloryCat 738]

3 minutes ago, HappyPlace said:

No we did not receive a DS-3025 atleast not yet. That’s why we are unsure about where we stand.

your fiance should have gotten it at the end of the appointment

definitely have him reach out and ask for it. it is very good to have when it comes time for AOS

[HappyPlace 11]

3 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

You needed to leave the premises with the DS-3025. I would call or email your medical location and request they send your copy immediately. You will have bigger issues without it.

 

You will need a copy for your AOS application.

We will do that right away. Thank you so much.

1 minute ago, MalloryCat said:

your fiance should have gotten it at the end of the appointment

definitely have him reach out and ask for it. it is very good to have when it comes time for AOS

We will do that right away. Thank you🙏🏽

[top_secret 2,715]

Generally, DTP is given to infants and small children children whereas Tdap is given to teens and adults.  Either is just fine for immigration purposes.  The P in DTP is Pertussis, not Polio.  Capital P because it's a stronger dose for children.  So it is a little strange, but otherwise inconsequential that they gave DTP to a 27 year old.  It should be no problem.

[HappyPlace 11]

8 minutes ago, top_secret said:

Generally, DTP is given to infants and small children children whereas Tdap is given to teens and adults.  Either is just fine for immigration purposes.  The P in DTP is Pertussis, not Polio.  Capital P because it's a stronger dose for children.  So it is a little strange, but otherwise inconsequential that they gave DTP to a 27 year old.  It should be no problem.

Thank you. He was given polio not pertussis. I attached a picture of the vaccination card he was given.

[top_secret 2,715]

Given that, I would be inclined to think the card is inaccurate.  That does not describe DTP vaccine.  AFIK there is not any single vaccine formulation that includes those components yet excludes Pertussis.  There are formulations that include Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, and also include polio vaccine.  I'd see about getting the card corrected by the vaccine provider.

[top_secret 2,715]

Looking at it more closely, it seems they do have such a vaccine formulation in Ireland and UK.  https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5581/pil They don't have it in the US and it is not what they generally call DTP.  But if that is what he got it seems he does still need Pertussis.

Edited May 13 by top_secret