AOS-VARICELLA NOT ROUTINELY AVAILABLE??

[UK.Ange 1]

Hi everyone!!

Got my Marriage certificate today so we are hoping to get our AOS package sent off today.

Looking through the checklist only one thing brings up a red flag and that is my DS-3025 for my medical vaccinations

Varicella has been checked as "Not Routinely Available". The bottom has been checked "May be eligible for blanket waivers" I don't believe I have history of chickenpox

The doctor's instructions for AOS weren't really clear.. If I send in this form as is will I get an RFE?

Do I need to visit a civil surgeon and get this injection or could I just visit a regular doctor and send in their certificate of immunisation?

I have looked through previous posts but can't find an answer that applies to me??

Any help would be appreciated!!

Thanks

Ange

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Looking through the checklist only one thing brings up a red flag and that is my DS-3025 for my medical vaccinations

Varicella has been checked as "Not Routinely Available". The bottom has been checked "May be eligible for blanket waivers" I don't believe I have history of chickenpox

If I send in this form as is will I get an RFE?

You will more than likely get an RFE because your DS-3025 is not "complete". You are missing the varicella shot. Had you told Kinghtsbridge that you had chickenpox, they would taken your word, and written VH (varicella history) by the shot and you would have been given a waiver. But you are in the US now where the shot is available to you so the "not available" would not work for a waiver. There's always a chance it could be over-looked by mistake, but you are truly not up to par on your AOS immunizations.

Do I need to visit a civil surgeon and get this injection or could I just visit a regular doctor and send in their certificate of immunisation?

You can call around and find the cheapest place to give the shot...your doctor, health department, Walgreen's, WalMart. Then you take the proof to a civil surgeon. The civil surgeon will have to copy your record from Knightsbridge (DS-3025) and from the varicella shot to a form I-693 and sign off. Download and read the instructions. You do not need another complete exam so call civil surgeons and find one who understands that and doesn't insist you must do the the whole exam, blood test, and TB skin test. You DO NOT have to do those. And find out their prices because they can charge anything they like.

Edited May 30, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[UK.Ange 1]

So it turns out I DID have chicken pox when I was two years old. There isn't any proof of this available in my records. Would a blood test proving my immunity suffice?

I'm so angry at myself for not knowing that this could hold me up at AOS.. I could have sorted this all out at my medical with Knightsbridge

You will more than likely get an RFE because your DS-3025 is not "complete". You are missing the varicella shot. Had you told Kinghtsbridge that you had chickenpox, they would taken your word, and written VH (varicella history) by the shot and you would have been given a waiver. But you are in the US now where the shot is available to you so the "not available" would not work for a waiver. There's always a chance it could be over-looked by mistake, but you are truly not up to par on your AOS immunizations.

You can call around and find the cheapest place to give the shot...your doctor, health department, Walgreen's, WalMart. Then you take the proof to a civil surgeon. The civil surgeon will have to copy your record from Knightsbridge (DS-3025) and from the varicella shot to a form I-693 and sign off. Download and read the instructions. You do not need another complete exam so call civil surgeons and find one who understands that and doesn't insist you must do the the whole exam, blood test, and TB skin test. You DO NOT have to do those. And find out their prices because they can charge anything they like.

So it turns out I DID have chicken pox when I was two years old. There isn't any proof of this available in my records. Would a blood test proving my immunity suffice?

I'm so angry at myself for not knowing that this could hold me up at AOS.. I could have sorted this all out at my medical with Knightsbridge

0

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

So it turns out I DID have chicken pox when I was two years old. There isn't any proof of this available in my records. Would a blood test proving my immunity suffice?

I'm so angry at myself for not knowing that this could hold me up at AOS.. I could have sorted this all out at my medical with Knightsbridge

Here's the deal--for AOS, you need an I-693 form signed by a civil surgeon, BUT if you have every single thing needed for immunizations fully documented on the DS-3025 from Knightsbridge, it will be accepted by USCIS for AOS. So since your varicella is not documented with either a shot or VH by it, you need to see a civil surgeon. It is in their technical instructions that they can take your verbal statement of having chickenpox, with no proof. You still have to find a civil surgeon who will transcribe your DS-3025 onto the immunization section of the I-693 and add the VH for varicella. The hard part is finding one who will do that for a reasonable fee. There is a thread in the AOS forum call "Civil Surgeons who don't rip you off" where people post names and towns and prices they found. It's a long scan through, but you might find some near you.

Civil Surgeons are used to doing exams for people already living in the US who are changing status from a work visa and such. Those people never had an exam in their country like a K1. So when the CS hears "immigration", they start quoting full medical prices and won't listen to "but I already....." You also may run across one who says you need a TB skin test. That's not an immunization, it's a test just like a blood test for sphyllis is a test for disease. You have already been cleared of TB and it's on you medical report that was in the envelope you turned in at POE.

The other option is mail off the AOS and hope the adjudicator just breezes past your lack of varicella without noticing. If you get an RFE, then go pay the Civil Surgeon.

One more problem is if you have had all the other shots. How many MMRs are recorded? Did you get TDap or Td recorded and the date is within the last 10 years?

[UK.Ange 1]

Here's the deal--for AOS, you need an I-693 form signed by a civil surgeon, BUT if you have every single thing needed for immunizations fully documented on the DS-3025 from Knightsbridge, it will be accepted by USCIS for AOS. So since your varicella is not documented with either a shot or VH by it, you need to see a civil surgeon. It is in their technical instructions that they can take your verbal statement of having chickenpox, with no proof. You still have to find a civil surgeon who will transcribe your DS-3025 onto the immunization section of the I-693 and add the VH for varicella. The hard part is finding one who will do that for a reasonable fee. There is a thread in the AOS forum call "Civil Surgeons who don't rip you off" where people post names and towns and prices they found. It's a long scan through, but you might find some near you.

Civil Surgeons are used to doing exams for people already living in the US who are changing status from a work visa and such. Those people never had an exam in their country like a K1. So when the CS hears "immigration", they start quoting full medical prices and won't listen to "but I already....." You also may run across one who says you need a TB skin test. That's not an immunization, it's a test just like a blood test for sphyllis is a test for disease. You have already been cleared of TB and it's on you medical report that was in the envelope you turned in at POE.

The other option is mail off the AOS and hope the adjudicator just breezes past your lack of varicella without noticing. If you get an RFE, then go pay the Civil Surgeon.

One more problem is if you have had all the other shots. How many MMRs are recorded? Did you get TDap or Td recorded and the date is within the last 10 years?

Thank you so much for your in depth responses!! You really are such a help on these boards!!

So if I sent off my vaccine sheet as is, even if I included a varicella titre proving immunity they would still require me to see a civil surgeon?

I really don't know what to do... Time is the deciding factor here.. i just wish there was a way of knowing which would be the quickest route

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thank you so much for your in depth responses!! You really are such a help on these boards!!

So if I sent off my vaccine sheet as is, even if I included a varicella titre proving immunity they would still require me to see a civil surgeon?

I really don't know what to do... Time is the deciding factor here.. i just wish there was a way of knowing which would be the quickest route

USCIS only accepts a fully completed DS-3025 or new I-693 signed/dated by an approved panel physician (Knightsbridge) or Civil Surgeon. Your titre could prove immunity but a CS will still have to sign off. He's supposed to take your word for chickenpox so don't spend money on a titre. Read all of this information to know a lot of info http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/civil/vaccination-civil-technical-instructions.html

Or click the link called Laboratory Evidence of Immunity and you will find:

An applicant who provides a reliable written or oral history of varicella disease does not require laboratory confirmation or further vaccination.

So print out his technical instructions and show him the rules. Get your mom to reply to an email saying. Yes, you had chickenpox in June of 19xx. We were at Grandmum Mary's house when you broke out. We think you got them from cousin Charlie. That ought to be a great written history.

So call around and see what kind of prices you get. If they say full exam, hang up and try another. Some people call ten with no luck. If it's that bad, then do the RFE route. If you get an RFE, it means your wait is almost over and it's already made it to an adjudicator's desk. You'll get approved within 2 weeks of returning what they need. Your EAD and AP may already be approved by then if that's your time worry.

There's even a chance your entire medical report in the envelope gets lost by USCIS. It happens way more than it should. Then you'd get an RFE to do a full exam by a CS. So you'd have to go back and pay some more. I think I'd take my chances with what you have and use the time to call around to get prices in preparation for an RFE. You might get real lucky. Or if not you can fix it quickly. And if you are real unlucky and your medical is not found, you only pay a CS one time.

You didn't answer about MMR date(s) and Tdap date on your DS-3025. There may be more to this story.

Edited May 30, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[UK.Ange 1]

USCIS only accepts a fully completed DS-3025 or new I-693 signed/dated by an approved panel physician (Knightsbridge) or Civil Surgeon. Your titre could prove immunity but a CS will still have to sign off. He's supposed to take your word for chickenpox so don't spend money on a titre. Read all of this information to know a lot of info http://www.cdc.gov/i...structions.html

Or click the link called Laboratory Evidence of Immunity and you will find:

An applicant who provides a reliable written or oral history of varicella disease does not require laboratory confirmation or further vaccination.

So print out his technical instructions and show him the rules. Get your mom to reply to an email saying. Yes, you had chickenpox in June of 19xx. We were at Grandmum Mary's house when you broke out. We think you got them from cousin Charlie. That ought to be a great written history.

So call around and see what kind of prices you get. If they say full exam, hang up and try another. Some people call ten with no luck. If it's that bad, then do the RFE route. If you get an RFE, it means your wait is almost over and it's already made it to an adjudicator's desk. You'll get approved within 2 weeks of returning what they need. Your EAD and AP may already be approved by then if that's your time worry.

There's even a chance your entire medical report in the envelope gets lost by USCIS. It happens way more than it should. Then you'd get an RFE to do a full exam by a CS. So you'd have to go back and pay some more. I think I'd take my chances with what you have and use the time to call around to get prices in preparation for an RFE. You might get real lucky. Or if not you can fix it quickly. And if you are real unlucky and your medical is not found, you only pay a CS one time.

You didn't answer about MMR date(s) and Tdap date on your DS-3025. There may be more to this story.

Ok you have truly put my mind at rest!! Thankyou so so much!

I am going to submit what I have and make preparations incase of an RFE. Yes, EAD is my main concern. My husband has been supporting both of us for too long throughout this process and not being able to contribute is driving me insane! It seems that EAD shouldn't be affected by my vaccines though (I am praying that this is the case)

The immigration officer at POE couldn't find my medical report so I am starting to think that I may have to get a whole new medical (will the shelling out of cash never cease??) haha

My MMR and Tdap were done at my medical in Knightsbridge so they are up to date and not a problem

Thanks again for your time... It really is such a blessing to have this forum and its helpful and informative posters..

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

The immigration officer at POE couldn't find my medical report so I am starting to think that I may have to get a whole new medical

Whoa! That changes everything. If it wasn't in that envelope, then you may get an RFE at the beginning when they check for completeness of the application. That will put everything on hold. If it wasn't in the envelope, then USCIS can not approve you because that's the only way they get a copy...from POE. London does not keep any of your paper files. They all are in that envelope. Knightsbridge does not keep a copy. I called and asked them that myself. It does sound like you need everything again...blood test, TB test, full exam.

My MMR and Tdap were done at my medical in Knightsbridge so they are up to date and not a problem

Do you have two MMR shots recorded? I'm asking for a reason.

[moosemilk 0]

Hi everyone!!

Got my Marriage certificate today so we are hoping to get our AOS package sent off today.

Looking through the checklist only one thing brings up a red flag and that is my DS-3025 for my medical vaccinations

Varicella has been checked as "Not Routinely Available". The bottom has been checked "May be eligible for blanket waivers" I don't believe I have history of chickenpox

The doctor's instructions for AOS weren't really clear.. If I send in this form as is will I get an RFE?

Do I need to visit a civil surgeon and get this injection or could I just visit a regular doctor and send in their certificate of immunisation?

I have looked through previous posts but can't find an answer that applies to me??

Any help would be appreciated!!

Hi

Just getting my aOS paperwork together now so can be submitted soon after wedding on June 30th. I had to get varicella over here, paid $102 at walmart. I called round a few CS and eventually got a very helpful one who went through what I had and told me what I needed to do. He doesnt do the shots and charges $100 to transpose the 3025 info and other shots onto the new form. He also pointed me in the direction of the county medical who do any shots for a flat $14 admin fee for immigrants with no medical insurance so wasted my money at Walmart on shot 1. going to get second varicella and a Td or Tdp second shot, that was all I needed. I got my first MMR at Knightsbridge and a booster a month later at a local clinic in Chester. The CS seems to be happy with this so I will be in there on June 28th to get the paperwork done, then its just the wedding certificate required to submit.

Thanks

Ange