Vancouver Clinic: Adacel/TD Booster

[maribear 0]

Hey! After tons of hassles, I thought I would share my experience with the whole immunization thing with everyone. Especially regarding the TDap/Adacel booster. If I've got any of this info wrong, I apologize, and please correct me! I just thought I would try and give people a head's up !

For anyone going to Vancouver who doesn't know, there are some immunization requirements for the medical clinic there (full list at http://wokingmedical.com/Vaccinations.html), and you have to have proof of these immunizations before you can SCHEDULE your appointment. The list looks kind of overwhelming (especially if you look at the scanned example form online here - I don't think they actually give you that big scary list anymore) - but just breathe, and it will be ok! The list online is comprehensive, where the list at Woking breaks it down by age group, and is a lot less overwhelming.

Now in Canada, I believe its recommended that you get your TD booster every 10 years. But for the US/immigration purposes, you need to get a SPECIAL booster if you haven't had a TD booster in the last 2 years. This booster is called TDap or Adacel (I believe its basically the same thing, but contains immunization against Whooping Cough).

I had read in the forums here that it might be free if I went through the a public health nurse, or my family doctor. Our travel health clinic charges $65 for the shot.

This was my experience in Victoria, BC:

I tried to arrange the shot through the public health authority - I had located all my old records (through my mom, old records, other health authorities and clinics). After giving the public health nurse photocopies of all my immunization records, and printing off what was required for the Woking Medical clinic (and highlighting where it said I needed the ADACEL booster NOT TD BOOSTER), and a weeks time, she called and informed me she could only give me the shot if I was in grade 9, and that I should go to the Travel Clinic. She also recommended a second dose of MMR.

So I tried through my family doctor. They told me it would be free, and I emphasized several times that it needed to be the ADACEL/TDap BOOSTER, NOT TD. They said it was fine and I booked an appointment.

When I went to my appointment, I received a 2nd MMR shot (free). My doctor began opening the packaging, and I said to him "now this is the TDap booster, no TD booster right?". Wrong. And he said something to the effect of "oooh right we've had problems with this before". He searched the clinic for Adacel, but no success. He quickly wrote out a prescription for me, and sent me downstairs to the pharmacy to get it filled and come back up so he could administer the shot.

I went downstairs to Pharmasave and handed over my prescription. The pharmacy tech/pharmacist looked at it and said "Is this for an IUD?". So I said "NO!! It's for a Tetanus shot!". He consulted with someone else behind the counter and they told me that was a very special booster and they would have to order it in. I asked if any other pharmacies would have it, and they said no.

I went back upstairs and told my doctor of the dilemma (and got signed off for the MMR!). Then, just to double check, I went across the street to a different pharmacy (Shoppers Drug Mart). I spoke with the woman there about the shot, and after checking into it, she told me she wasn't even QUALIFIED to order it in, and suggested I go to the travel clinic.

At this point I was feeling annoyed and disheartened, so I DID book an appointment at the travel clinic. But then I went grocery shopping, and there was another Shoppers drug mart right next to the grocery store, so I stopped in JUST BECAUSE.

And am I ever glad I did. Because even though once again, the pharmacy had no idea what I was talking about, and had to look it up in some green pages of some pharmacy manual, and were running around, etc. THEY HAPPENED TO HAVE IT IN THEIR FRIDGE!!! Apparently someone else had ordered it in at some point, and not picked it up. It still cost $45, but I managed to get the shot the next day (from my doctor, who told me to drop by once I got the prescription filled), and keep $20 in my pocket!

[Carlawarla 1]

I'm not saying you're wrong, but unless something's changed, I didn't need to get any special booster. I just had a Tetnus booster. My last one had been over ten years ago, so they just gave me another. End of story. I've never heard this mentioned here on VJ before. The link you provided doesn't work. I'm wondering if maybe where you went they just had trouble knowing or finding that specific vaccinations. Maybe when I went for my "Tetnus" shot, it WAS the Tdap shot

Your comment about having to have the vaccinations BEFORE scheduling your medical is incorrect as well. Many people schedule their medical and either have their vaccinations before the medical, or some have even had the vaccinations done AT the medical. Did they ask if you'd had, and require proof that you'd had all your vaccinations before they'd make your appointment for your medical?

I'm not trying to be argumentative, I'm just wondering why I've never heard of this here before.

Thanks for posting! I hope you can answer my questions.

Edited August 26, 2009 by Carlawarla

[minnew 4]

Vancouver does NOT allow you to get any vaccines at the medical, you have to access the travel health clinic if there are any missing, which will delay your case.

From the Woking Medical website: www.wokingmedical.com

**Tdap

If your Tetanus (Td) shot was more than 2 years ago, you need to have a Tdap (Adacel) booster.

Please ensure you get "Tdap" and not just "Td". Adacel is available at most travel clinics or by prescription.

As of March 2009, you must have all vaccines before your medical exam, some clinics may not be aware of this change.

As far as having all your vaccines completed before scheduling the exam, I believe that is incorrect as well, it depends on how much time you have in-between scheduling and the exam, and for some us who have to travel the K-1 interview as well. The amount of vaccinations you need looks overwhelming, but alot of them were done as a child/teenager so they will be marked as not age appropriate, but you can always get the titres test if you do not have access to your vaccination records or unsure of immunity.

For my age group this was what was needed:

19-26 YEARS

Tdap (Adacel) **See note below

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

HPV - Females only. See note below

HPV

This vaccine is given over several months. You don't need to complete all doses prior to your medical exam; you just need to have had the first dose.

Varicella - If you had "Chicken Pox" disease, no vaccine is needed

Edited August 26, 2009 by minnew

[maribear 0]

Sorry about the broken link.

They changed the way it works. In fact, they even give the date they changed it: March 2009. It says all over the website that you MUST get your immunizations before scheduling your medical appointment. They go so far as to make you type in the phrase "I CONFIRM I HAVE PROOF FOR ALL THE VACCINATIONS REQUIRED FOR MY AGE" when you're booking your appointment online.

I don't know why you didn't need the special booster...but it could be a new requirement? As you can see from the copy and paste from the above poster, it's all over the website, so they're pretty hardcore about it.

[Carlawarla 1]

Sorry about the broken link.

They changed the way it works. In fact, they even give the date they changed it: March 2009. It says all over the website that you MUST get your immunizations before scheduling your medical appointment. They go so far as to make you type in the phrase "I CONFIRM I HAVE PROOF FOR ALL THE VACCINATIONS REQUIRED FOR MY AGE" when you're booking your appointment online.

I don't know why you didn't need the special booster...but it could be a new requirement? As you can see from the copy and paste from the above poster, it's all over the website, so they're pretty hardcore about it.

Yes, I do see that now, and thanks for getting back to me. A special thank you to yourself, and minnew who have informed me that things are not the same at all. I'm glad you brought this up, so that we can advise anyone else in the future who might have the same concerns!

[Danu 19]

which is odd because for my medical in Toronto at Dr. Seiden...all they told me was I am due next year for my Td booster, the last one I had was also a Td booster. They didn't tell me anything about having to get a Tdap. Must be a Vancouver thing only. Anyone who had their medical done in Montreal been asked for a Tdap specifically? That way we know what to specify depending on clinic.

From Dr. Seiden's site:

18-64

Td or Tdap

MMR

Varicella

Hep B

Influenza (if flu season)

HPV

Edited August 27, 2009 by Danu

[TimandJoyce 1]

which is odd because for my medical in Toronto at Dr. Seiden...all they told me was I am due next year for my Td booster, the last one I had was also a Td booster. They didn't tell me anything about having to get a Tdap. Must be a Vancouver thing only. Anyone who had their medical done in Montreal been asked for a Tdap specifically? That way we know what to specify depending on clinic.

From Dr. Seiden's site:

18-64

Td or Tdap

MMR

Varicella

Hep B

Influenza (if flu season)

HPV

I had mine done in Vancouver, but also needed the Tdap booster. It was quite clear in the FAQ part that this is part of US regulations, even though it may not be required in the Country you live in. It stated that as one is immigrating to the US, they need to comply with health regulations. Strange if they didn't mention that, or you haven't got your update on immunizations. I would assume it would be the same in Toronto.

[Danu 19]

The vaccine sheet they gave me has DT/DTP/DTaP for the initial vaccination spot and then Td/Tdap for the booster. I just checked http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules...lt-schedule.pdf and it also says TD boster once every 10 years or Tdap as substitute for adults over 65 who havent had a Tdap in either their primary or as a booster...so I dunno.

Edited August 31, 2009 by Danu

[Bern. 3]

Sorry to hijack, but does this mean that in Montreal that you have to get all your vaccinations before the medical or can you get the missing ones during it? ?

[Danu 19]

Sorry to hijack, but does this mean that in Montreal that you have to get all your vaccinations before the medical or can you get the missing ones during it? ?

As far as I know you can get them done in Montreal, but I'm not positive so hopefully someone can speak for certain. I had mine done in Toronto, they do not give vaccinations there.

[simistar 2]

THANK YOU maribear!

I just made an appoint. with my family doctor to get my vaccines next week...but now I'm going to e-mail him asap to check he has the RIGHT tetanus vaccine! (the TDap or Adacel)

Yikes!

Thanks for the heads-up!

Edited September 17, 2009 by simistar

[Inky 1,110]

not sure i really understand this... Ever since i was little they did Tdap, we never had TD? and I lived in ontario, my sister checked her records so did a few friends, no one has had TD only TDap shots.

and yes MEDISYS in montreal will give you vaccinations at the time of the medical if you are missing some, i had the first HPV shot at the medical. they charge you for the shots tho, where your regular doctor wont charge you for most ( everyone charges for HPV )

[Dan and Ali 3]

Thanks for sharing your experience Maribear! I was just looking at the Woking Clinic website yesterday and wondering about the Adacel booster. I was at the health clinic yesterday getting my daugther vaccinated and asked the nurse about Adacel ... she hadn't even heard of it! Crazy. It's interesting how you had your MMR booster done for free; the nurse I spoke to yesterday advised me that I would have to pay for an MMR booster ... but, she wasn't sure I would even need one.

Does anyone have any idea how recent your MMR has to be? I'm thinking I might just pay the $15 for the titer test instead of paying for the vaccination ... I'm sure the vaccination will cost more than the test. I know I still have immunity to rubella as it's one of the things they check for when you have a baby and I only had my daughter 2 years ago ... I can't see that immunity just disappearing.

[simistar 2]

It's interesting how you had your MMR booster done for free; the nurse I spoke to yesterday advised me that I would have to pay for an MMR booster ... but, she wasn't sure I would even need one.

Maybe it's different in Alberta (I think that's where you are...) than in BC...?

My doctor said I get the MMR for free as well...

I might have to pay for the Adacel though...

But I sent him an e-mail saying it definitely has to be THIS kind and he said he thinks that's what he usually uses anyway... So who knows :-)

Sorry, I don't know how recent your MMR has to be...

[coldwatersurf 5]

I'm not saying you're wrong, but unless something's changed, I didn't need to get any special booster. I just had a Tetnus booster. My last one had been over ten years ago, so they just gave me another. End of story. I've never heard this mentioned here on VJ before. The link you provided doesn't work. I'm wondering if maybe where you went they just had trouble knowing or finding that specific vaccinations. Maybe when I went for my "Tetnus" shot, it WAS the Tdap shot

Your comment about having to have the vaccinations BEFORE scheduling your medical is incorrect as well. Many people schedule their medical and either have their vaccinations before the medical, or some have even had the vaccinations done AT the medical. Did they ask if you'd had, and require proof that you'd had all your vaccinations before they'd make your appointment for your medical?

I'm not trying to be argumentative, I'm just wondering why I've never heard of this here before.

Thanks for posting! I hope you can answer my questions.

I have to agree with Carla here.

my tetanus shot was over 10 years and I tried looking for the adacel at shoppers drug and other clinics and pharmacy and they didnt have it or didnt know what it was. when i was at the doctor to get my hpv shot, there was an ad on the magazine about adacel. what a coincidence! i told her that was the shot I needed and my doctor said Alberta only had it at that time (it was April 2009) and i wouldnt find any in BC at that moment. She also mentioned that booster is fairly new (?). I emailed the medical clinic and told them I could not find adacel and asked them if i can just get it at their clinic b/c they said they may be able to give me some vaccines if I cannot get them. But they said that it's ok if i cant get adacel b/c it wasnt available in BC at that time so I can get the regular td booster. i read on VJ that someone got their Tetanus Shot redone (the first shot you're suppose to get) b/c it has been over 10 years since their first one and they passed the medical. So that's what i did and it was free!!! everything was fine and I passed the medical.

But with my medical appointment experience, I booked an appointment before i completed my vaccines - i just didnt tell them but made sure I got all before my appointment. i wanted to book my appointment early on b/c i heard it can get full. they said they have to book 2 weeks in advance but i manage to get the next week. To book an appointment, you dont have to show proof of your vaccinations. You have to answer the following questions to book:

Your preferred dates, Wednesdays only (we book about 2 weeks in advance): I wrote ASAP.

Passport Name (the exact name on your passport):

Application Name (the name you applied under):

Gender (Male or Female):

Date of birth (MM-DD-YYYY):

Chicken Pox. Choose One only:

***I think there was an option here about date of when you got the Chicken pox vaccination - but since I had chicken pox when I was a kid I chose this option:

I had Chicken Pox Disease in this exact year:

Interview Date (the date of your interview if your appointment is in Montreal):

Contact phone number (optional):

Confirmation. **** you had to state this at the end of your appointment questions to book it.

“I confirm I have all items listed in Step 1"

Edited September 19, 2009 by borderdriver