Vaccinations / Immunizations

[ljandjl 1]

Hi guys - quick question.

My husband was at his regular doctor yesterday & had the immigration immunization requirements with him. He asked the doctor about MMR, tetanus, etc. The doctor said he's current on all immunizations & varicella immune. The doctor wrote a letter saying all of this.

I know we'll still undergo a medical exam, but will this be accepted by the examining physician? Obviously we're not interested in unnecessary vaccinations, and since they're free at a regular doctor but cost money at the immigration exam, if he had to have them then we'd rather do it beforehand!

Anyone else have a similar experience?

[january7th 7]

Yes, just keep all the records he had and bring it to his medical. He'll be ok. Congrats!!

[GlobeHopperMama 95]

I'd like to hear from other Germany filers on this, but at the consulate where I have experience (Mexico/Ciudad Juarez), many people go into their medical exam with documentation showing they JUST had the required vaccinations performed by their family physician or another clinic, but those are not accepted and the applicant is forced to re-do the vaccinations, thereby paying for them twice and hitting their immune systems twice in short order. Unless other Germany filers indicate that they have successfully had their vaccinations done in advance, I would personally just choose to take the financial hit and let the panel physician perform the ones they see fit.

Also, the full list of required vaccines given out doesn't tend to match what is actually given, at least at Mexico. There, the list sent out by the consulate in the pre-interview packet contains 11 vaccines (I think), yet my husband and every other applicant I've know to go through there was only given 3: MMR booster, Varicella booster, and TDaP booster. So it's not a good idea to take guesses at which ones will actually be needed unless you get it confirmed from others who have been there done that. Hopefully you'll get some good info on this from others...

[D.K. 16]

When I went and talked to the IO at the Frankfurt Embassy, she said that it was totally fine to go to our regular DR for the immunizations/vaccination shots. We have a list of required immunizations that she gave us, and as long as our regular DR signed off for them, the Embassy would accept it. Here in Germany, I believe there's only 1 additional vaccination that differs from the US (US requires 1 extra vac.

My hubby will be going for his Medical Examination in 2 weeks, so I will let you know if there is a discrepency from what the Embassy says and what the Medical Examination DR says.

[ljandjl 1]

OK, great. He made the appt specifically for his TDap & MMR boosters, but the doctor said he doesn't need them yet, hence the letter. I really think we're fine, but wanted to check! If not, then whatever, he gets an unnecessary vaccine - small price to pay!

D.K. - I'll assume no news is good news from you!

Good luck & thanks again

[DeletedByMod 0]

Will they give you all missing vaccinations at the official (US Surgeon) Medical Exam? What is the approximate cost?

My wife and son have all obvious vaccinations, but have no records.

[GlobeHopperMama 95]

MattsLand, you'll want to try to locate other Costa Rican consular processing applicants in the Costa Rica portal to find this out. Medical exam experiences and costs vary heavily by country. In Mexico, the medical exam itself cost about $160 and the vaccinations cost another $140. In Korea the exam itself is about $150 and I have no idea how much the vaccines are being that we haven't gone through it yet.

[LauraDP 10]

Looking at how much the vaccinations cost if done at the medical in London, they are expensive and I would imagine they are comparable to the fee levied at the immigration medicals in other nations. I would, therefore, advise getting all of the vaccinations you can in advance of the medical. My kids and I have been going to our local doctor to get all of our required vaccines - since there are some the US requires that the UK does not do routinely. I even had the MMR done even though I have had measles and mumps and am immunised against rubella just because getting the vaccine was easier than ploughing through my medical records for the evidence of childhood exposure to the disease. I am going to have the doctor print off each of our vaccination records once we have had our flu vaccines in October and have him sign them so that they are good to go.

Best wishes

Laura

[GlobeHopperMama 95]

^ That may work in London, I don't know. Don't do this in Latin America unless you want to risk paying and getting vaccinated for each one twice. In Mexico, you can bring in proof of being vaccinated the week before and they will still make you get it done at the immigration clinic (because what they want is the money!). One of the medical providers for Colombia does the same and I think there are a few others as well. Unless a Costa Rica filer says this is a successful method, I don't suggest getting vaccines ahead of time. Also, immigration medical clinics generally only administer MMR, TDaP, and Varicella, so if you get all the vaccines listed in the information immigration gives ahead of time, you'll wind up getting lots of extra vaccines. This is why I'm really hoping you can find a Costa Rica filer to give you specifics on the medical there.

[tortuguita 1]

Hi GlobeHopper Mama... we'll be heading to Ciudad Juarez in a couple days. And yes, the medical clinics are still give vaccinations to individuals who already have their vaccinations. The prices have gone up as well. $190 for the medical and figure on a minimum of $200 for the vaccinations, 13 pesos to the dollar. We just decided to let the examiners in Ciudad Juarez do their thing rather than my husband being "shot" twice.

Edited October 4, 2012 by tortuguita