Vaccines

[awkwardsoul 20]

Hello, I'm new! (newly engaged and about to start the visa process)

My first big stress (weirdly) is the vaccines I need done. After going through topics here I found the medical place that I will deal with down the road, http://www.wokingmedical.com/Vaccinations.html (27-49 age group, and I need a varicella vaccine)

I'm not sure really where to start on getting what I need done vaccine wise... do I hit my family doctor with the vaccine list? Get that test blood titer done? Go to my local health unit? What did you all do?

I guess why I'm jumping on the vaccine thing right away is for my age group, Hep A & B isn't on there, though with my line of work I should really make sure it's up to date (and I've been waiting for my work to boost me for free). I'm worried since the shots are spaced out to 6 months+ duration, would it effect my medical exam if it isn't done in time? Would it even come up that I need it done at all?

[Inky 1,111]

Go to your family doctor get the titre done and get any shots done that you need by your family doctor. Have the doctor fill out one of the little books with your vaccination history and bring that to the medical with you.

[Saylin 1,605]

Hello, I'm new! (newly engaged and about to start the visa process)

My first big stress (weirdly) is the vaccines I need done. After going through topics here I found the medical place that I will deal with down the road, http://www.wokingmed...ccinations.html (27-49 age group, and I need a varicella vaccine)

I'm not sure really where to start on getting what I need done vaccine wise... do I hit my family doctor with the vaccine list? Get that test blood titer done? Go to my local health unit? What did you all do?

I guess why I'm jumping on the vaccine thing right away is for my age group, Hep A & B isn't on there, though with my line of work I should really make sure it's up to date (and I've been waiting for my work to boost me for free). I'm worried since the shots are spaced out to 6 months+ duration, would it effect my medical exam if it isn't done in time? Would it even come up that I need it done at all?

Do you not have a vaccination record? I have one and had all my vaccines listed, so I didn't really need to worry about that part. If you don't have any kind of record, then you're either going to need to get them done again or get a titer test done. If you do need to get any vaccines, I'd suggest looking around for the cheapest place because if you wait to get them done at the panel physician, it usually costs a lot more than if you went elsewhere.

And because Hep A & B aren't required for your age group, then the spaced out 6+ month duration won't affect you during the medical exam. It's your choice to get those 2 vaccines as it's not needed for US immigration purposes. The panel physician will just be looking for Tdap, MMR, chickenpox, and influenza (during flu season). Although, if it's needed for your line of work, then being up to date on those vaccines would probably be good

[awkwardsoul 20]

<3 thanks for the advise all!

I don't have an immunization record, all I have is a few slips of paper I kept when I got flu shots over the last few years.

I will go the family doc/blood test route.

How early should I start on it? (making sure I don't do it too early)

[Saylin 1,605]

<3 thanks for the advise all!

I don't have an immunization record, all I have is a few slips of paper I kept when I got flu shots over the last few years.

I will go the family doc/blood test route.

How early should I start on it? (making sure I don't do it too early)

I say do it as soon as possible. You can't be too early on vaccines. Most of us got them as a kid, so technically, you're behind

I'd say get the titre test done first to see what vaccines you're missing (if any) and then get them done. Some require doses spaced apart, so start asap.

[Piefre 15]

Are you sure you need a varicella vaccine? If you've had chicken pox as a child they will accept a verbal confirmation. But getting a titres done should cover you on that front too.

Since we're already in a thread about vaccines, I have a couple of questions. So the panel physicians recommend people have MMR and TDAP, specifically. I've got my MMR and TDAP from when I was a child, and recently got a TD booster (TD, not TDAP) is that going to cause problems because it's TD only and not TDAP? Do I have to go out and get vaccinated again to ensure it's the TDAP this time? Also do I need to get an MMR booster? My last MMR dose was in 2007.

[Saylin 1,605]

Are you sure you need a varicella vaccine? If you've had chicken pox as a child they will accept a verbal confirmation. But getting a titres done should cover you on that front too.

Since we're already in a thread about vaccines, I have a couple of questions. So the panel physicians recommend people have MMR and TDAP, specifically. I've got my MMR and TDAP from when I was a child, and recently got a TD booster (TD, not TDAP) is that going to cause problems because it's TD only and not TDAP? Do I have to go out and get vaccinated again to ensure it's the TDAP this time? Also do I need to get an MMR booster? My last MMR dose was in 2007.

Yes, if you had chickenpox as a kid, then just a verbal confirmation is necessary. If you didn't have chickenpox though, then you need the vaccine.

As for your situation. When you were a kid, for the TDAP, was it a series of 3 shots? If it was, then you should be fine.

For MMR, you don't need a booster shot. You only need a booster shot for TD/TDAP within the last 10 years.

Info taken from: http://www.panelphysicians.com/Pages/Age6.htm

[Piefre 15]

As for your situation. When you were a kid, for the TDAP, was it a series of 3 shots? If it was, then you should be fine.

For MMR, you don't need a booster shot. You only need a booster shot for TD/TDAP within the last 10 years.

Info taken from: http://www.panelphysicians.com/Pages/Age6.htm

Looks like I got TDAP (or DPT which is the equivalent, I guess) when I was a kid. That's good knowing about the MMR too. Hopefully I am all set for this. Thank you!

[Saylin 1,605]

Looks like I got TDAP (or DPT which is the equivalent, I guess) when I was a kid. That's good knowing about the MMR too. Hopefully I am all set for this. Thank you!

Yay, that's good news. You're very welcome!

[Stuart and Thea 95]

Are you sure you need a varicella vaccine? If you've had chicken pox as a child they will accept a verbal confirmation. But getting a titres done should cover you on that front too.

Since we're already in a thread about vaccines, I have a couple of questions. So the panel physicians recommend people have MMR and TDAP, specifically. I've got my MMR and TDAP from when I was a child, and recently got a TD booster (TD, not TDAP) is that going to cause problems because it's TD only and not TDAP? Do I have to go out and get vaccinated again to ensure it's the TDAP this time? Also do I need to get an MMR booster? My last MMR dose was in 2007.

If you got your last TDAP at 15, and you were due for Td, and got Td, but not TDAP, then yes, I'm afraid to say, you DO need the TDAP shot according to the CDC guidelines, which follow along NACI guidelines.

Health Canada will also be requiring this of adults this fall, new, along with a second booster for varicella (offered as a dual mmr/chickenpox, and a rotavirus vaccine (oral!!!).

Public Health has recently sent our office a memo stating that the Vaccine Schedule will be changing this fall, and adults who have not received a single adult dose of Adacel(DTAP), will now be required to have this administered. I've been giving out Adacel several times a day since we got that memo, and we fully expect to be inundated with requests this fall.

So, as to do you need that shot? I'd bet you do.

As to your vaccine record, make sure to check with the public health department where you went to school, they would have required a record when you were enrolled, and should be able to get a copy for you.

I went to my doctor, and asked for a titre for hep b, mmr, and varicella, the results take a few weeks to come in, but it will give you time to update any that show inconclusive on, which for a lot of adults, mumps will, and you will have time to go see your doctor for a booster before your medical.

[awkwardsoul 20]

I found out BC had an outbreak of mumps (as of end of June) so they are doing MMR shots right now for people born past 1970 for free. I think I'll jump on that quick, and test for the other vaccines.

That and... I never had chicken pox, I'll probably need that one done. I might of had the vaccine as a kid, I can't recall.

Thanks for all the help!

[brooksie 3]

Call your local public health unit they should have the records, your high school sends them there 2 years after you leave. call the public helth unit local to your high school.

[Piefre 15]

If you got your last TDAP at 15, and you were due for Td, and got Td, but not TDAP, then yes, I'm afraid to say, you DO need the TDAP shot according to the CDC guidelines, which follow along NACI guidelines.

Health Canada will also be requiring this of adults this fall, new, along with a second booster for varicella (offered as a dual mmr/chickenpox, and a rotavirus vaccine (oral!!!).

Public Health has recently sent our office a memo stating that the Vaccine Schedule will be changing this fall, and adults who have not received a single adult dose of Adacel(DTAP), will now be required to have this administered. I've been giving out Adacel several times a day since we got that memo, and we fully expect to be inundated with requests this fall.

So, as to do you need that shot? I'd bet you do.

#######. So I guess I better get my butt to a public health clinic and get that TDAP. My doctor's booked up dealing with other things and getting a shot through him wouldn't put it on my record anyway.

I'm sorry if I sound irritated about this. I've been messing with these vaccines for over two years when I thought my fiance and I were filing two years ago. I hope you guys understand I'm just frustrated. I paid for the HPV shots under the assumption that they were required, then a few months after my last round of that, they stopped requiring it. Then I get a TD booster, under the assumption that it was enough because I was assured it was enough (not by anyone here but a medical professional who saw the requirements). And just got my public records updated and straightened out. My packet 3 letter is sitting around still waiting for action. It's not anybody's fault that I had all this done and found out it was all wrong or not good enough. I am just venting at this point. Argh.

So just to get things straight before I go in and throw my arm out again, for a 25 year old woman:

Tdap - The booster shot must be TDAP and will be administered irregardless of the TD booster I got last year?

MMR - I had my two rounds of MMR as a child. Do I need a booster for this or not?

Varicella - Had chickenpox twice. If I got an MMR booster now, do I still need that MMR/Rotovirus/Varicella booster? I guess if it comes in a three-for-one package, I might as well get it.

Influenza - When are 2011 flu shots coming in? My interview/medical will likely be in mid to late September. I understand these typically show up in October.

Hopefully if I can get some straight foward information I can go in and get the last vaccines I'll need to get for a while.

[Stuart and Thea 95]

I'm sorry if I sound irritated about this. Don't worry about it!

So just to get things straight before I go in and throw my arm out again, for a 25 year old woman:

Tdap - The booster shot must be TDAP and will be administered irregardless of the TD booster I got last year? Yes

MMR - I had my two rounds of MMR as a child. Do I need a booster for this or not? If you have a record of it, no, if you don't have a record of it, then only if your titre test shows indeterminate for any of them. Mumps is only 83% effective.

Varicella - Had chickenpox twice. If I got an MMR booster now, do I still need that MMR/Rotovirus/Varicella booster? I guess if it comes in a three-for-one package, I might as well get it. A verbal statement that you have had Chickenpox will be enough for them. Rotavirus will only be offered to infants, as will the combined MMR/Varicella shot, don't worry about any of this, other than your MMR, if you need it as per the guidelines above.

Influenza - When are 2011 flu shots coming in? My interview/medical will likely be in mid to late September. I understand these typically show up in October. Bingo, I always tell my patients to eat their turkey for Thanksgiving and then phone me. We typically get the shot the second week in October. There is also a nasal flu vaccine available, that you may be able to get earlier, it's called Flumist, and you can get it at a pharmacy, but they will have to order it in. We've had trouble with pharmacies not wanting to carry it, but Walmart seems to be okay.

Hopefully if I can get some straight foward information I can go in and get the last vaccines I'll need to get for a while.

[awkwardsoul 20]

Just to anyone else who needs to get their MMR shot...

I'm in the greater Vancouver area, I got in touch with my health unit and it is a 2.5 MONTH wait to get the vaccine done. Best bet is to get a family doctor (who hopefully does the shots in their office).

I'm glad I started early looking into vaccines!