If I go to my GP prior to the PME, what shots do I need?

[Kurnow 1]

Hi gang, I was wondering, if I were to go to my own GP prior to the private medical examination, which immunisations would I need (am 34yr old male).

I figure I've pestered the NHS very rarely for anything and I should be able to get these done instead of paying hundreds on the day of the exam.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

These are the shots you need.

[Nik+Heather 121]

That's an extensive list, Bobby, and of course comes with an asterisk about "age appropriate" !!! But what does that mean?

OP, here is the vaccination requirements from the London Embassy (Medical Examination page). http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/39181/pdfs/vaccinechart.pdf The first column is all those vaccines on Bobby's list, and the rest of the table tells you which ones are appropriate by age. It seems difficult to read at first, but it is not too hard to figure out the trick. First, you find the appropriate age column. I assume that your beneficiary is between 18 and 64, yes? Then you'll see that the vaccines which are age appropriate are:

Tdap

MMR

Varicella (Not available in UK)

You can get around Varicella by having some notation about when you had the chicken pox. Usually they take your word for it, and will write down "VH" for Varicella History.

[Boiler 45,486]

I thought you got Varicella in a combo shot?

[goonergirl 2]

The vaccination requirements state that anybody over 50 needs to get a flu shot annually during flu season. Has anybody had a fiance over 50 who had to deal with this? What if the medical is not during flu season, does that make them ineligible until the next flu shots become available? Seems picky. Glad I saw that now and will make him get one this winter just to make sure!

[Dodi 69]

Flu shots aren't required, just recommended. You can get them here at any Walgreens drugstore for $20.

If your GP doesn't want to take your word for it, there is a Varicella teter (titer?) test you can have done. It's a blood test usually given to pregnant women, but it can show that you've got the antibody in your system, and therefore don't need the vaccine. Peter had this done because he had chicken pox when he was in college in Wales and had a different doctor at the time, and no access to the records. I think he paid £20 for the test.

That, along with the MMR and Tdap are all you should need.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I should be able to get these done instead of paying hundreds on the day of the exam.

First off, we don't know what kind of visa you are getting since you haven't filled out your VJ info yet. So I'm answering for a K1 since that's my personal experience.

You don't have to get any immunization on the day of the exam. You can still get a K1 visa without getting vaccinated at all. BUT after arriving in the US, you can't get your green card through AOS without having the immunizations. If you wait until arriving in the US, you will have to go to a Civil Surgeon in the US to have him record all of your immunization (from anywhere you got them) onto the I-693 form. You might have shot records from NHS, Walgreen's drug store, and a private US doctor, but they all have to be put on one form (I-693) and signed off by the Civil Surgeon in the US.

Your NHS doesn't have to give you free shots if they are for immigration. Many are just nice and do it. Some refuse to do it for free.

This is what my fiance/husband did. He got MMR and Tdap (free) from NHS. He got the NHS nurse to write up an immunization list of every shot he had received. He also told her "My mum said I had chickenpox in December of 19XX" so she just wrote on his NHS immunization list she prepared that he had chickenpox on that date. Other people have told the nurse at the visa medical exam when they had chickenpox and she took their word for it. I can remember at least two person's they didn't believe. If you haven't had chickenpox and can get a varicella from the panel physician at the medical, I would do it.

So after the visa medical exam, they will give you a copy of the DS-3025 (immunization record) showing everything you've had up to that date. My husband had everything needed for his age that's required for AOS recorded on that form. That would be MMR, Tdap, and VH (varicella history) Instead of the hassle (and expense) of seeing a Civil Surgeon in the US, he only submitted a photocopy of the DS-3025 and skipped the I-693. He got his green card without any problems or RFE for not having the I-693. I know they are still doing that because a UK person named "beatlesrebel" just got a green card doing the same thing. They did not see a civil surgeon.

Keep in mind that everything must be on that DS-3025. If you need anything after arriving in the US, like a varicella shot or even the titre test showing immunity, then you must have a Civil Surgeon record it on the I-693.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Dangit - this is the link I wanted to post - too many links in my info base...

CDC uses these criteria for ACIP-recommended vaccines at regular periods, as needed, to decide which vaccines will be required for U.S. immigration:

The vaccine must be age-appropriate* for the immigrant applicant, AND at least one of the following:

The vaccine must protect against a disease that has the potential to cause an outbreak, OR

The vaccine must protect against a disease that has been eliminated or is in the process of being eliminated in the United States.

[Twinkles 10]

The vaccination requirements state that anybody over 50 needs to get a flu shot annually during flu season. Has anybody had a fiance over 50 who had to deal with this? What if the medical is not during flu season, does that make them ineligible until the next flu shots become available? Seems picky. Glad I saw that now and will make him get one this winter just to make sure!

Dont need to wait until Winter.

Im not over 50, but due to my immune suppressant treatment, i get offered the yearly flu jabs.

I missed having it last flu season in 09, cant remember why now

Anyways back in June/July this year i was given it via my Gps Nurse, no cost to me.

She also did my Son who is only 16 and again there was no charge.

As an added bonus we were also offered swine flu and we let her jab that in shortly after.

[Dodi 69]

My mother has a Master's degree in Nursing, and we were discussing flu shots this weekend, because most of the pharmacies are starting to advertise that they offer them here. She said you shouldn't get a flu shot before October because then they will actually kick in for November, and last approximately three months, through January, the worst three months of the flu season.

Not everyone will agree, but it makes sense to me.

[Twinkles 10]

My mother has a Master's degree in Nursing, and we were discussing flu shots this weekend, because most of the pharmacies are starting to advertise that they offer them here. She said you shouldn't get a flu shot before October because then they will actually kick in for November, and last approximately three months, through January, the worst three months of the flu season.

Not everyone will agree, but it makes sense to me.

Im quite sure the Nurse who gave me it was well qualified.

My Specialist who suppresses my Immunity said that there is much better data now that supports that Immunity actually can extend throughout the influenza season into the spring, and in many cases actually into the following year. He told me there is no harm, for someone like me to get it twice yearly, spacing them out for best protection.

Now i would rather do the above than delay our Visa proces any longer than it already has been. I read that it isnt necessary to get all the jabs before emigrating..Yet i had a letter issued at the Medical and refusal of my medical results to be passed on to the Embassy untill all my jabs were completed.

So it will be flu jab twice spaced out for me and everybodys happy.