Questions about Immunization/Medical

[WishUsLuck 0]

Hello there - we're (hopefully) getting close to NOA2 time, and some questions have come up about the medical, etc. (my fiance is the Canadian/beneficiary).

First off, despite checking numerous sources, my fiance is unable to find any immunization records. He's lived in Canada his entire life, and he's pretty sure he's gotten whatever vaccines are standard, but he has no proof (we've checked with family, health department, etc.). We're especially worried about the tetanus vaccine, because if he needs to start that from scratch, it (from what I understand) can take almost a year to get all of the shots for it.

He'll definitely be getting the blood tests (titer?) for everything before the medical, but these are our questions/concerns:

1. First off, my fiance doesn't really have a primary/family doctor. To get the titers, does he need some kind of medical form/order filled out by a doctor, or can he just walk into a lab and ask for the tests?

2. This is the big question - my fiance definitely has NOT had a tetanus (Td) booster in the past 10 years. As I mentioned before, he MAY have had his original shots as a baby, but he has no record of it. If they do a titer for Td, is there any chance the antibodies will even show up? I'm not sure how boosters work, but it seems like his vaccination was so long ago, it might not even be in his system anymore... if that makes sense. In which case we'll need to start the Td stuff from scratch (which is what we really are trying to avoid).

3. Kind of silly question, but. My fiance will be going to Toronto for the medical, and having the results mailed back to him. I know there's a sealed envelope involved that he's not supposed to open - is he allowed to open the "mailer" that the results come in, or does that count as the sealed envelope?

Thanks for any insight/information!

[JTB11 1,079]

Hey there,

I cannot answer all of your questions but as for the tetanus shot...I am in the same boat. Had my last shot in 1993 and I don't have a family doctor here since I lived in another country. So what i did is:

I went to a doctor (random that my sister goes to) and asked for tetanus shot - you get 3 shots, second is 4 weeks after the first and then i believe third is 6 months after. I don't think not having the last shot would be a problem ?

You can always get the last one in the US once you are there should the timing not work out ? That is how I figured it would work anyhow. I hope I am right.

[NikLR 13,227]

Have him go to a walk in clinic for both the vaccinations and for the forms for the lab work. I still have to do it myself honestly.. I don't need any vaccinations (maybe flu shot) If the walk in clinic won't do the vaccinations there is normally a health unit where people take their kids for vaccines that also do travel and adult vaccinations.

He can open the mailer, but not the envelope inside. It will say on it.. "do not open"

Edited December 29, 2012 by NikiR

[Hugglebuggles 60]

If he needs the full tetanus series, just having it started will be enough for the immigration medical. He will just be expected to complete the series as scheduled once in the US. As for what will show up in the blood test, I have no clue, that may be a good question for the doctor.

As niki said, you can open the mailer. The part you can't open will be labeled clearly, so it won't be an easy mistake to make!

[pocheros 101]

Just a tip: make sure that when he gets the sealed envelope he receives a copy of the immunization worksheet (also known as the DS-3025, although that might not be written on the sheet); it should be attached to the outside of the envelope. He needs this immunization worksheet for AOS. Do not open the sealed envelope at all or its contents will be void.

Starting the tetanus boosters is sufficient to pass the exam.

[sweety-sweet 1]

As per VJ time line, my NOA 2 can be sometimes around mid or end of Feb. What should I prepare for my medical? Do I need to start now? I also dont have any record of vaccines both in my country or in Canada. But I do have family doctor and I am good with the doctor from walk in clinic near my place. Kindly advise. Thank you.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Has your fiance check with the school board he went to school in? That's how I got all mine. The school board keeps a record of vaccines obtained by the students.

A quick fax had my entire vaccination history

good luck

[WishUsLuck 0]

Thanks for all of the replies so far. I have a feeling he may wind up having to redo the Td vaccine, but better to know now than later.

[Ms Hogan 295]

DO NOT let him do the booster yet. It needs to be done within 4 weeks of the medical.

I have spent A LOT of time on the phone with the nurses at the clinic in Toronto as I have to figure out so many parts for myself and 2 children.

Here is a link to the requirements http://panelphysicians.com/Pages/Age6.htm

The only titres they can test for in Ontario will be for the measles, mumps, rubella. Even though I got all of mine done as a child, I was actually no longer immune to the measles so I wound up getting the shot again.

I have no records either. I called the school board but they only held them for 10 years.

I had a tetanus booster because I was due but the nurse at Dr Seiden's office told me I'm going to have to do ANOTHER one within 4 weeks of my medical. This is because I have no proof of the initial vaccination as a child. My family doctor won't do it again. I told the nurse at Seiden's this and she said they'll provide a letter that I can take to the walk-in clinic in their building so they'll do the booster again for me.

I know a lot of it sounds nuts but you must go by exactly what they require on that form I linked. The U.S. won't accept it otherwise.

If there is confusion, call the office. They are VERY kind and happy to help.

[JensJrny2Ray 367]

Hello there - we're (hopefully) getting close to NOA2 time, and some questions have come up about the medical, etc. (my fiance is the Canadian/beneficiary).

First off, despite checking numerous sources, my fiance is unable to find any immunization records. He's lived in Canada his entire life, and he's pretty sure he's gotten whatever vaccines are standard, but he has no proof (we've checked with family, health department, etc.). We're especially worried about the tetanus vaccine, because if he needs to start that from scratch, it (from what I understand) can take almost a year to get all of the shots for it.

He'll definitely be getting the blood tests (titer?) for everything before the medical, but these are our questions/concerns:

1. First off, my fiance doesn't really have a primary/family doctor. To get the titers, does he need some kind of medical form/order filled out by a doctor, or can he just walk into a lab and ask for the tests?

2. This is the big question - my fiance definitely has NOT had a tetanus (Td) booster in the past 10 years. As I mentioned before, he MAY have had his original shots as a baby, but he has no record of it. If they do a titer for Td, is there any chance the antibodies will even show up? I'm not sure how boosters work, but it seems like his vaccination was so long ago, it might not even be in his system anymore... if that makes sense. In which case we'll need to start the Td stuff from scratch (which is what we really are trying to avoid).

3. Kind of silly question, but. My fiance will be going to Toronto for the medical, and having the results mailed back to him. I know there's a sealed envelope involved that he's not supposed to open - is he allowed to open the "mailer" that the results come in, or does that count as the sealed envelope?

Thanks for any insight/information!

I also have no records of immunizations. I asked for the TDaP (Tetanus Diphtheria, Pertussis) at my pharmacy and it was no problem to get. You may have to pay a fee (I didn't because I work at the store where the pharmacy is). It was one shot, done. The MMR you can get re-done but you need a booster shot that is given a month later. (Your fiance can do this at his local health authority) For chicken pox, if he hasn't had it, he'll need the varicella vaccine but if he has he'll need his titre done to show the anti-body. He just has to go to his dr. so his dr. can refer him to the lab to get the test. Also if you have your interview between Oct and Feb - he'll need his flu shot. Very easy to obtain also.

[dukeandduchess 141]

I got my blood test for Varicella immunity from a walk-in clinic. Just go to the clinic and ask them for a blood test. Explain you lost your immunization records and you need to get vaccinated for immigration purposes. Bring a list of the vaccines you need to be tested for... but they can only test for a few of them.

As for Tdap - that's weird... I hadn't had any vaccinations/boosters for over 10 years and I only needed 1 shot. They never said anything at my medical. Not sure where the "1 year series of shots" is from but I've never heard that before.

Good luck!

[pocheros 101]

I also only got one shot for tetanus (dunno if it was Tdap- I got it a few months back when I re-did my medical in the US; my last tetanus shot was over a year old) and only one shot for MMR about a year back (I had one other MMR shot when I was a kid, I believe.) Vaccines are so confusing!

Edited January 1, 2013 by pocheros

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Here is information that explains the differences between the various types of Tetanus shots and boosters: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/tetanus/

It appears that the multi shot sequence is only for TDap given to children under the age of 7. If you are an adult you would receive a single shot of Tdap - or the td shot - then follow through with a booster every 10 years. An adult does not need and should not receive the TDap, multi-year shot.