vaccination records

[maritimer 0]

Hi, I was born in England and moved to canada 18 years ago. Of course I don't have any of my medical records for my vaccinations polio etc. I am pretty sure I need these during this process. Does anyone have any idea what you should do if you can't retrieve your vaccination records? Does anyone know what vaccines are required by the beneficiary?

[YuAndDan 153]

Firstly what visa are we talking about? K-Visa or Immigrant Visa???

Also how about posting this to the correct forum? The Philippines regional forum is for questions relating to immigrating from that country.

K-Visas dont need vaccinations records until adjusting status in the USA

Immigrant IR-1/CR-1 visas need them for the visa.

Polio is not one of the required ones for typical persons doing spousal visas, vaccinations are age specific, so what is required for the young may not be required for older applicants, this is determined by the doctor.

[Carlawarla 1]

It does help to know what visa you're applying for, and to have your timeline filled in. Just a few pieces of information however my point you in the right direction.

Here is a list of vaccinations by age: http://panelphysicians.com/Pages/Immunizations.htm

You may be told that a beneficiary from Canada doesn't have to have their vaccinations before leaving Canada. Technically that's true, however almost all Canadians have it done in Canada because they can usually have it done for free before we leave, rather than paying someone to have it done before applying for AOS once in the US.

Your other question was about lost or unobtainable vaccination records. You can have a titre test done in Canada that will show your immunity to certain diseases so that you only get vaccinated for what you haven't had.

[MissStacey 1]

I needed my vaccination records for my K3 Visa.

The Health Unit no longer had my vaccination records- after so many years- they don't keep them anymore.

I went over to the walk in clinic and asked to be sent to the Lab for a Titres test. I brought the list of what I needed to be checked for. For my age group it was MMR and tetanus. The Civil surgeon both in Canada and here in the US (when I needed my vaccination supplement for AOS) both accepted oral testimony that I had the chicken pox- I did have a note from my childhood Doctor confirming I had them but I didn't really need it)

My titres test showed low immunity to a few things so I went back to my local health unit and re did all my shots. Both the titres and new shots didn't cost me anything with provincial health care. I waited a month for the new shots to show up in my system and went for another titres. I took these results to both Civil Surgeons.

Edited July 30, 2008 by MissStacey

[Gypsyangel 11]

I found this web site helpful to figure out what vaccinations are needed:

http://www.panelphysicians.com/

You don't have to book with that particular doctor, but the summary of info is helpful.

I didn't have any vaccination records either. I went to my family doctor and brought the list of things required per the above web site and she ordered an titres test based on what was required for my age. The titres was just a blood test. Results took about 3 to 4 weeks (it was over Christmas). My doctor told me I was fine for everything. I picked up the results from my doctor and I brought those results to my medical, and it was all good. I had to have a tetanus shot at the medical ($40), but everything else tested ok.

[Reba 2]

You can get your tetanus at your regular doctor's office for free, rather than pay the extra $40 for it at the medical exam.

[trailmix 77]

Someone posted this in the USCIS forum, thought you might find it helpful:

USCIS Changes Vaccination Requirements To Adjust Status To Legal Permanent Resident

Washington – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today a revised list of vaccines required for applicants seeking to adjust status to become legal permanent residents. This revision follows guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

CDC’s revised Technical Instructions to Civil Surgeons for Vaccination Requirements require the following age-appropriate additional vaccinations to adjust status to legal permanent resident:

Rotavirus

Hepatitis A

Meningococcal

Human papillomavirus

Zoster

The requirements for these new vaccines went into effect on July 1, 2008, however CDC approved a 30-day grace period for any medical exam conducted before August 1, 2008. At that time the new vaccinations, if appropriate, must be administered in order for USCIS to approve the applicant for adjustment of status.

USCIS has revised the Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693) to include these new vaccination requirements. The June 5, 2008 edition of Form I-693 must be used for any medical examination completed on or after August 1, 2008.

CDC’s revised Technical Instructions to Civil Surgeons for Vaccination Requirements are posted on-line at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/civil.htm. USCIS has posted a list of “Frequently Asked Questions” about the revised vaccination requirements at: http://www.uscis.gov. For additional help with the Form I-693, call USCIS’ Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283

I also found this - regarding the titer test:

Laboratory evidence of immunity is acceptable for measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, polio and varicella.

The civil surgeon should obtain a good history of acute, vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella, from the applicant to identify any naturally acquired diseases for optional laboratory confirmation. An applicant who provides a reliable written or oral history of varicella disease does not require laboratory confirmation or further vaccination.

Laboratory evidence of immunity is acceptable for the following diseases: measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, polio, and varicella (normally not necessary unless a history of varicella disease is questionable).

Edited August 1, 2008 by trailmix

[maritimer 0]

It does help to know what visa you're applying for, and to have your timeline filled in. Just a few pieces of information however my point you in the right direction.

Here is a list of vaccinations by age: http://panelphysicians.com/Pages/Immunizations.htm

You may be told that a beneficiary from Canada doesn't have to have their vaccinations before leaving Canada. Technically that's true, however almost all Canadians have it done in Canada because they can usually have it done for free before we leave, rather than paying someone to have it done before applying for AOS once in the US.

Your other question was about lost or unobtainable vaccination records. You can have a titre test done in Canada that will show your immunity to certain diseases so that you only get vaccinated for what you haven't had.

I am no where near the AOS journey yet but I like to have everything in order way ahead of the game (maybe a little OCD!!!) I am a little confused on the whole I693 AOS process. I understand that i can get my titres done by my family physician here and take that to my medical with me. When I come to adjust my status and its within a year from when I had my medical do i still have to have a civil surgeon complete the supplement form for me or can I just send a copy of what I received at my medical.

[Carlawarla 1]

It does help to know what visa you're applying for, and to have your timeline filled in. Just a few pieces of information however my point you in the right direction.

Here is a list of vaccinations by age: http://panelphysicians.com/Pages/Immunizations.htm

You may be told that a beneficiary from Canada doesn't have to have their vaccinations before leaving Canada. Technically that's true, however almost all Canadians have it done in Canada because they can usually have it done for free before we leave, rather than paying someone to have it done before applying for AOS once in the US.

Your other question was about lost or unobtainable vaccination records. You can have a titre test done in Canada that will show your immunity to certain diseases so that you only get vaccinated for what you haven't had.

I am no where near the AOS journey yet but I like to have everything in order way ahead of the game (maybe a little OCD!!!) I am a little confused on the whole I693 AOS process. I understand that i can get my titres done by my family physician here and take that to my medical with me. When I come to adjust my status and its within a year from when I had my medical do i still have to have a civil surgeon complete the supplement form for me or can I just send a copy of what I received at my medical.

The 693 stuff is when you're Adjusting Status, so, if you're no where near this part of the process, ignore that for now.

We still don't know what you're applying for though? Please fill in your profile.

You can go to your family doctor here now, and ask that you have a titre test to find out what your immunization is. You can get a list of vaccinations you require by age. Then you'll know what you need to have done, and can get them done.

My reference to getting them done now is that if you get them done in Canada, often times you can get them covered by your supplementary health insurance, or they're free from the government, so get them done now, before you leave Canada. You don't have to get them done until you're actually in the US, and applying for your adjustment of status, and have to show that they've been done. So my reference earlier was about getting them done before you leave, so that you're ready to file for AOS once you're married, and in the US, rather than running around trying to find out where you can get your vaccinations done, and maybe paying an higher amount.

Once you have your vaccinations done, say in Canada, then you're going to have a record of that, and that record is what you'll take to your medical with the panel physician. When you're applying for your AOS you can have the vaccination sheet you were given by whoever gave you the vaccinations transferred to an I-693A (can be done by fax with Dr. Arnold in TX for about $15.00), or you can see if the panel physician at the medical will give you a copy of your medical. Either way, something has to be sent in with your AOS paperwork at some point, indicating you've had the vaccinations. Your medical, will be in a brown paper envelope that you can't open, and given to the border people upon crossing and activating your visa.

If you've had your medical within one year of your applying for AOS, then there is no need to have another medical...you'll just have to show that you've had the vaccinations.

Hope that clears my earlier comments up!

Edited September 11, 2008 by Carlawarla