Is flu shots needed for I-693?

[Natashia 0]

Mabuhay!

I am planning to have my vaccination records transcribe within this month. I have called several clinics from the USCIS list of designated Civil Surgeons. Most of them want me to have another medical exam which I insist that I don't need to have one since I just need a doctor to confirm my DS 3025. Too bad Dr. Arnold has already retired which I've read from the forums that his service is much affordable and will not really rip me off. I've found one CS in Kansas City that will transcribe vaccination records without another medical exam but she wanted me to have flu shots. Is having flu shots a necessity for I-693?

Another thing, I am confused of what are other vaccines that I needed to have before coming to a civil surgeon as it would be more practical to have shots through the Health Department than in those private clinics.

My DS 3025 indicates that ( no check on DT, DTP, DTaP - Not Age Appropriate ) , ( check on Tdap, no check on Td - Insufficient Time Interval ), ( no check on Polio-OPV, IPV - Not age Appropriate ), ( check on MMR, no check on Rubella - Complete Series ) , ( Blank area on Measles, Measles- Rubella, Mumps, Mumps - Rubella ) , ( Rotavirus, Hib, Hepa A, Hepa B, Meningococcal, Pneumococcal, Influenza - Not Age Appropriate ) , ( Varicella - VH ) . Then at the bottom, Result - Vaccine history Incomplete. Applicant may be eligible for blanket waivers because vaccination not medically appropriate.

[katgrl 14]

Unfortunately yup flu vaccine is required at this time of year.

[Natashia 0]

Unfortunately yup flu vaccine is required at this time of year.

Thank you for your response.

And that would also apply to my son who's in K2 as well?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Moved from Off Topic to the K-1 forum as a more appropriate location for this discussion.

Oops -it is an AOS question, not K-1 so moving to AOS from Family Based Visas forum .

Edited December 6, 2010 by Kathryn41

[marriedtomrg 141]

Yes. If you don't want your flu shot administered by the civil surgeon, you have the option of getting your flu shot done through your local health center or if you are on your husband's insurance policy already, you can get it done that way.

Thank you for your response.

And that would also apply to my son who's in K2 as well?

[Kristy S 13]

health departments usually do it really cheap. kind of ####### it is required though, only times in my LIFE that i've gotten the flu is FROM the stupid shot. same with my kids.

[cranehand 0]

First of all Civil surgeons, What a JOKE Went to first one and was told she needed flu shot, I called BS she had one less than 12 months ago. He also wanted to give another med exam, again I call BS, USCIS says no med exam needed if one has been done in previous 12 months. He insisted, we walked out as I told him how UN-professional he was. My wife's vaccination records were in order, or she would have never received Visa. This whole process is about repetition and redundancy. Taking your money every step of the way.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

. My wife's vaccination records were in order, or she would have never received Visa.

A K1 visa can be issued with no immunizations at all. Many fiance's arrive in the US, not meeting the vaccination requirements.

To Natashia the OP:

The flu shot requirement used to be for adults over 50 (and children) but that changed in November. CDC now says everone older than 6 months should have a flu shot at medical exams during flu season (defined by USCIS as Oct. 1 - Mar 31).

You have met the requirements for AOS on your DS-3025. You've had Tdap, MMR, and VH meaning varicella history (chickenpox) so excused from the varicella shot. The results section was filled out properly. Incomplete...blanket waiver IS acceptable in the results section. If the date on your DS-3025 was not during flu season (Oct 1 - Mar 31), then you don't have to have a flu shot. You can send in that DS-3025 and it will prove you have met the immunization requirements without an I-693.

If you decide you want a civil surgeon to do an I-693, then because it is flu season, you will need the flu shot. Does that make sense? If DS-3025 was dated before flu season, it is ok like it is with nothing else. But a new I-693 dated during flu season becomes the "official" record and would need a flu shot because of the date on it falls in flu season.

[yankepeach 2]

A K1 visa can be issued with no immunizations at all. Many fiance's arrive in the US, not meeting the vaccination requirements.

To Natashia the OP:

The flu shot requirement used to be for adults over 50 (and children) but that changed in November. CDC now says everone older than 6 months should have a flu shot at medical exams during flu season (defined by USCIS as Oct. 1 - Mar 31).

You have met the requirements for AOS on your DS-3025. You've had Tdap, MMR, and VH meaning varicella history (chickenpox) so excused from the varicella shot. The results section was filled out properly. Incomplete...blanket waiver IS acceptable in the results section. If the date on your DS-3025 was not during flu season (Oct 1 - Mar 31), then you don't have to have a flu shot. You can send in that DS-3025 and it will prove you have met the immunization requirements without an I-693.

If you decide you want a civil surgeon to do an I-693, then because it is flu season, you will need the flu shot. Does that make sense? If DS-3025 was dated before flu season, it is ok like it is with nothing else. But a new I-693 dated during flu season becomes the "official" record and would need a flu shot because of the date on it falls in flu season.

Just so I am clear .....as long as you have your DS- 3025 and it is in order ....Dated before Oct-Mar....you dont need a flu shot......further..... you are fileing your AOS you do not need to go get a Civil Surgeon to transcribe the DS-3025 to the I 693 if your physical is less then a year old and your DS-3025 is order...... I think thats what your saying ....yes?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Just so I am clear .....as long as you have your DS- 3025 and it is in order ....Dated before Oct-Mar....you dont need a flu shot......further..... you are fileing your AOS you do not need to go get a Civil Surgeon to transcribe the DS-3025 to the I 693 if your physical is less then a year old and your DS-3025 is order...... I think thats what your saying ....yes?

that is what they are saying but I have NEVER heard that. They care that you are up-to-date on your shots at the time of filing. The date on the immunisations is irrelevant. If it were relevant then people who had not completed their series wouldn't have to complete them because the shots were fine at the time the form was dated...

Here are the CS instructions: http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/civil/vaccination-civil-technical-instructions.html

Here is the 2010 influenza update info: http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/civil/updates/action-recommendations-flu-vaccine.html

Here's the USCIS list of required shots: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=3384cc5222ff5210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=6abe6d26d17df110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD which mentions going to the I-693 form to determine what you need to do.

Here's the I-693: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=eb1f3591ec04d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

All that said, send in the DS-3025 as it is if you think it's up to date. If they're not happy they'll RFE you which isn't the end of the world, you'll just see a CS and get it done.

[Natashia 0]

To All Who Have Responded To My Queries:

I am so thankful. It helped me and others who are also in the process of applying AOS.

As far as I've understood, it would be just fine to just submit the DS 3025 without the I-693? My DS 3025 was dated July 2010, hence there's no need for us to get flu shots if we don't get our records transcribed, right?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

To All Who Have Responded To My Queries:

I am so thankful. It helped me and others who are also in the process of applying AOS.

As far as I've understood, it would be just fine to just submit the DS 3025 without the I-693? My DS 3025 was dated July 2010, hence there's no need for us to get flu shots if we don't get our records transcribed, right?

No I don't think it's okay. The date of the record only proves your medical is less than 12 months old. You shots must be up to date at the time of filing. So like I said, go ahead and file it with just the DS-3025. If it's not okay you will just get an RFE. No biggie.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Just so I am clear .....as long as you have your DS- 3025 and it is in order ....Dated before Oct-Mar....you dont need a flu shot......further..... you are fileing your AOS you do not need to go get a Civil Surgeon to transcribe the DS-3025 to the I 693 if your physical is less then a year old and your DS-3025 is order...... I think thats what your saying ....yes?

I'm saying Natashia's appeared to be complete because she listed what was on her DS-3025 and the required elements were there. "In order" as it applies to somebody else without knowing specifics is vague. But yes to your question if your DS-3025 had all the elements hers did. Lots of people get greencards without RFEs based on the immunization proofs shown on the DS-3025. If I was Natashia, I would 100% skip the civil surgeon part. We did.

that is what they are saying but I have NEVER heard that. They care that you are up-to-date on your shots at the time of filing. The date on the immunisations is irrelevant. If it were relevant then people who had not completed their series wouldn't have to complete them because the shots were fine at the time the form was dated...

I don't make this stuff up. I don't get it from forums. I read it from USCIS documents.

Instructions to adjudicators: (My bold text)

(

C) Steps to determine the necessary vaccinations

.

Step 1 . First determine which vaccinations were required for the applicant

as of the date the medical exam was conducted.

Step 2 . Verify that the vaccinations required

as of the date of the medical exam

had been received by the applicant or that the vaccinations required as of that date were marked as "not medically appropriate." .

Step 3 . If the required vaccinations were not received or not marked as "not medically appropriate" as of the date the medical exam was conducted, determine whether the missing vaccinations would still be required as of the date of adjudication.

Step 4 . If the missing vaccinations are no longer required, the vaccination requirements have been met. This is, for example, the case when the applicant has aged out, or it is not the flu season, or a vaccine is no longer required by law.

Step 5 . If the missing vaccinations would still be required, the officer should

RFE

for those vaccinations.

It does not mention anything about "at the time of filing" is why I say the date on the medical exam is the date of record for determining if requirements have been met, EXCEPT if a shot has been subseqently dropped (like HPV was) they don't have to get it now even if it was a requirement back at the time of the medical. Or if somebody turns 19 by the time they file, USCIS doesn't make them get the extra shots an 18 year old would need,even if they were 18 at their medical.(Step 4).

As far as I've understood, it would be just fine to just submit the DS 3025 without the I-693? My DS 3025 was dated July 2010, hence there's no need for us to get flu shots if we don't get our records transcribed, right?

YES Natashia, that is exactly what I am saying based on your description of your DS-3025. If they don't completely lose your whole medical record you turned over at POE, then I truly believe you'll be fine with what you've got.

Edited December 8, 2010 by Nich-Nick

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I don't make this stuff up. I don't get it from forums. I read it from USCIS documents.

Instructions to adjudicators: (My bold text)

© Steps to determine the necessary vaccinations.

Step 1 . First determine which vaccinations were required for the applicantas of the date the medical exam was conducted.

Step 2 . Verify that the vaccinations required as of the date of the medical exam had been received by the applicant or that the vaccinations required as of that date were marked as "not medically appropriate." .

Step 3 .

If the required vaccinations were not received or not marked as "not medically appropriate" as of the date the medical exam was conducted,

determine whether the missing vaccinations would still be required as of the date of adjudication

.

Step 4 .

If the missing vaccinations are no longer required

, the vaccination requirements have been met.

This is

, for example,

the case when

the applicant has aged out, or

it is not the flu season

, or a vaccine is no longer required by law.

Step 5 . If the missing vaccinations would still be required, the officer should

RFE

for those vaccinations.

It does not mention anything about "at the time of filing" is why I say the date on the medical exam is the date of record for determining if requirements have been met, EXCEPT if a shot has been subseqently dropped (like HPV was) they don't have to get it now even if it was a requirement back at the time of the medical. Or if somebody turns 19 by the time they file, USCIS doesn't make them get the extra shots an 18 year old would need,even if they were 18 at their medical.(Step 4).

YES Natashia, that is exactly what I am saying based on your description of your DS-3025. If they don't completely lose your whole medical record you turned over at POE, then I truly believe you'll be fine with what you've got.

Why didn't you bold the parts relevant to the op? I have bolded the relevant sections.

Based on what YOU just posted, it appears they NEED the flu vaccine as it is currently flu season. Step 4 actually says "or it is not the flu season". Together with Step 3 it means the OP NEEDS the flu shot.

You're right, it doesn't say "time of filing", it says "time of adjudication".

OP - based on what Nich-Nick posted it appears you NEED the flu shot if at the time of adjudication it is flu season.

Completely up to you though. You just lose a little time if you are RFE'd. Send it without it's not a big deal.

Edited December 8, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

The bold wasn't about the OP. It was about when is the date of record on shots. You said you've NEVER heard that. I was sharing that I read it from USCIS.

This is how I interpret the information:

Step 1 - Look at the date of the medical to decide the requirements for that day. Not the application postmark or the NOA date or the date the IO finally picks up the application to evaluate, but the date the doc signed the immunization form. (In the case of Natashia, on the date of her medical, a flu shot was not required. If any adult was under 50, it wasn't required on medicals before Nov. 2010)

Step 2 - Check to see if all shots required on the date of the medical were done or marked not medically appropriate. If all is good at this point---person passes. (I think Natashia was complete on the day of her medical so stop here and give her the okay.)

The rest of the steps are about things NOT okay on the day of the medical---like maybe MMR hadn't been given or the doctor failed to tick off that some were not age appropriate. That's why I said earlier if she went for an I-693 now during flu season, she would have to be current for Dec 2010 because that would be the new "date of the medical" as far as immunizations go. That's probably why the CS she called said a flu shot would be given.

I don't understand why you underlined the missing vaccinations because Natashia was not missing anything on the "date of her medical". She passes on steps 1 and 2.

Steps 3 and 4 would cover cases where there might be exceptions for missing vaccinations. It doesn't apply to people who passed on Step 2.

Example: An 18 year old has an exam and for her age needs Tdap, MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella (or VH if he had chickenpox), Meningococcal.

She didn't get Hep B. When the adjudicator looks at her case, the teen is now 20 years old. The officer sees she was missing Hep B as an18 yr. old at her medical, but because the requirements for a 20 year old don't need Hep B, he passes her. She aged-out because it is no longer required of her now that she is 20(Step 3, 4)

Example: A lady had her exam during flu season and didn't get a flu shot. The examininer sees that, but because he is looking at her case in July. Step 3 says he should "determine whether the missing vaccinations would still be required as of the date of adjudication". he says, it's July and not flu season so I can excuse the flu shot.

Example: A girl didn't get HPV at her medical abroad (which was a requirement in 2009) because her country didn't have the vaccine . The adjudicator picks up her case in 2010 and says "we threw out HPV so since it's no longer a requirement, I'm not going to require her to get one now."

Step 5 covers things missing on the date of the medical which are still appropriate to have on the date of adjudication. If nothing was missing then Step 5 doesn't apply.

Example: 17 year old has an exam and for her age needs Tdap, MMR, Hepatitis B, Varicella (or VH if he had chickenpox), Meningococcal.

She didn't get Hep B. When the adjudicator looks at her case, the teen is now 18 years old. The officer sees she was missing Hep B and it's still required for 18 year olds, so he sends an RFE because she didn't age out of needing it.

It all seems plain to me, but if anybody disagrees that's fine. It is my interpretation of what those 5 steps are saying and what I base my comments on.