Medical & Immunizations

[KTandTommy 31]

I went to my family doctor with a list of the immunizations they list here: http://travel.state.gov/pdf/medical/MTL-MED-ENGL-0011-1207.pdf in order to prep for the medical. I showed her the list of immunizations required, and she did give me a few shots (tetanus booster & flu shot), and is also asking me to buy a couple more - but she mentioned that there is one on there that is only given to people over 65 years old (I can't remember which one - pneumococcal, maybe?) and she said something about the rotavirus one is only given at birth because by this age, I would have been exposed to it and already be immune.

Should I insist that she give me these shots anyway, or will I be okay?

Also, should I have her check them off on a list, or just show up with the paper copies of my immunization records as proof (should I have photocopies for them to keep?)

Anything else I should do in advance of the medical? (I did have her schedule a followup breast ultrasound because of one of the topics I saw come up last week, where someone failed their medical because of benign lumps, so I'm going to have her give me a photocopy of the results to take with me, just in case)

[feli114 65]

Is your doctor on the list of panel physicians for your country? If not, getting all those shots will be a waste of time and money. Someone correct me if I'm, wrong.

[Marilyn. 340]

you don't need all of them on the list, it depends on your age.. Immunization Requirements:Ages 18 to 64 years

[Sirdaniel42 86]

Is your doctor on the list of panel physicians for your country? If not, getting all those shots will be a waste of time and money. Someone correct me if I'm, wrong.

You can get your vaccinations from your own Doctor, make sure you have proof.

[Marilyn. 340]

Is your doctor on the list of panel physicians for your country? If not, getting all those shots will be a waste of time and money. Someone correct me if I'm, wrong.

In Canada you can get the immunizations done by any doctor. It is cheaper to not get them done with the panel physician

[Sirdaniel42 86]

you don't need all of them on the list, it depends on your age.. Immunization Requirements:Ages 18 to 64 years

Your Panel Physician will write "Not age appropriate" on your form for the ones that you don't need because of age.

[KTandTommy 31]

Perfect, thanks everyone! Looking at that list, I think I should actually be all good for my shots - I assume it doesn't matter that it's on Dr. Seidan's page, when I'm going to Dr. Mascarenhas? They both have the same list? That Seidan list doesn't have as many immunizations listed as the official Montreal medical list that I linked above, so I wasn't sure.

I had my family doctor record the new shots I was given (Tetanus combo & influenza) in my immunization booklet, plus I have all my records from when I was a baby, so I think I should be good on that front.

[Marilyn. 340]

yeah it doesn't matter that the list is from a different doctor.. it is a universal list..

[KTandTommy 31]

Awesome - thanks a bunch!

[The Mean Lady 604]

We haven't even filed our 130, but I see the combination vaccine looks to take a while to get through.

Is this something I should look into getting done soon so it's complete by the time that stage comes for him?

My husband's doctor recently retired so I'm afraid that we'll have no proof of past immunizations and have to start everything over, more or less.

[Marilyn. 340]

We haven't even filed our 130, but I see the combination vaccine looks to take a while to get through.

Is this something I should look into getting done soon so it's complete by the time that stage comes for him?

My husband's doctor recently retired so I'm afraid that we'll have no proof of past immunizations and have to start everything over, more or less.

I would suggest getting titre tests done before getting the immunizations all over again..

[The Mean Lady 604]

I would suggest getting titre tests done before getting the immunizations all over again..

Is this something he just asks his family doctor for? or a local walk in clinic?

[Marilyn. 340]

Is this something he just asks his family doctor for? or a local walk in clinic?

I know I just asked my family doctor and he sent me to get the blood work done at the lab..

[VeeNDee 44]

When I first started this process I found that long list of required vaccinations as well, including rotavirus, pneumonoccocal etc. It was so overwhelming and when I showed my family doctor his response was: "What? They want you to get that? But it's only for seniors and that's only for babies!" Anyway thankfully I figured out that the 'required list' wasn't narrowed down by age and just got the ones I needed for my age which wasn't too bad. I did end up buying the Hep A vaccine before finding out they weren't all required but in the end, it won't hurt that I had that vaccine and it was around $50. Hey at least if I take the booster shot for Hep A this month I won't ever need to take it again!

But yes - that list is confusing and I do wish when they make that list they mention that a person doesn't need ALL of them a little more clearly!

[KTandTommy 31]

When I first started this process I found that long list of required vaccinations as well, including rotavirus, pneumonoccocal etc. It was so overwhelming and when I showed my family doctor his response was: "What? They want you to get that? But it's only for seniors and that's only for babies!" Anyway thankfully I figured out that the 'required list' wasn't narrowed down by age and just got the ones I needed for my age which wasn't too bad. I did end up buying the Hep A vaccine before finding out they weren't all required but in the end, it won't hurt that I had that vaccine and it was around $50. Hey at least if I take the booster shot for Hep A this month I won't ever need to take it again!

But yes - that list is confusing and I do wish when they make that list they mention that a person doesn't need ALL of them a little more clearly!

HAHAH, that's *exactly* what I did yesterday, and exactly what my doctor said. She wrote me the prescription for Hep A, and another one, can't remember, but I haven't bought them yet. One of them (I think the Hep A one) needs to be repeated in 6 months though, so I don't know if I should get that one filled, because I'll be in FL in 6 months, and I have no idea who will be able to give me the next shot.