IR-1 medical

[Lovemad 7]

Hi all,

I have my medical scheduled for next week at Knightsbridge doctors in London and my interview scheduled for the first week of March. There's a few questions I have about each of these stages, following what I have read both on visajourney and the embassy website.

The Medical

For the medical, am I required to present my vaccination records from the time I was a baby (which I have) ? I have looked at the vaccination requirements on the US embassy website and I would like to clarify a couple of points. Does dtap mean Tetanus Diphteria? I believe that I would be required to have an Influenza vaccine, if it's during flu season. As my medical is in late February and my interview in March, is this still during the flu season? If I am unable to get the flu vaccine at my GP, and need to go to a chemist/drugstore like Boots or Lloyds, is it possible to obtain some sort of certification from them to prove that I have had the vaccine.

What I can deduce from the vaccination requirements is that females aged from 14-26 have to get the HPV vaccine but those 27 and over do not need it. I am currently 26 and will be 27 in July, so would I be required to have this vaccine? I have also read elsewhere (not on visajourney) that this vaccine is no longer compulsory. If this is the case, I would prefer not to have this vaccine given the possible side effects.

Also I have read that I am required to present a 2 by 2 passport photo and police certificate at my medical. I have already submitted an original police certificate to the NVC and in my interview letter it said that this has been sent to the embassy. So am I still required to present one at the medical, or the interview? Fortunately, I did order two copies when I applied for it.

Thanks again and any help or info would be much appreciated.

[Hypnos 6,576]

Tdap / Dtap is Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (whooping cough).

You are required to have a flu shot until 31st March when the "flu season" ends.

Since December 2009 the HPV vaccination is not required.

Edited February 11, 2013 by Hypnos

[Lovemad 7]

Tdap / Dtap is Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (whooping cough).

You are required to have a flu shot until 31st March when the "flu season" ends.

Since December 2009 the HPV vaccination is not required.

Thank you very much Hypnos, this has helped to clear things up for me.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hi all,

I have my medical scheduled for next week at Knightsbridge doctors in London and my interview scheduled for the first week of March. There's a few questions I have about each of these stages, following what I have read both on visajourney and the embassy website.

The Medical

For the medical, am I required to present my vaccination records from the time I was a baby (which I have) ? I have looked at the vaccination requirements on the US embassy website and I would like to clarify a couple of points. Does dtap mean Tetanus Diphteria? I believe that I would be required to have an Influenza vaccine, if it's during flu season. As my medical is in late February and my interview in March, is this still during the flu season? If I am unable to get the flu vaccine at my GP, and need to go to a chemist/drugstore like Boots or Lloyds, is it possible to obtain some sort of certification from them to prove that I have had the vaccine.

Take any records of immunizations you have already had. A written record from Boots or Tesco is perfectly fine for the flu. Flu season ends March 31.

Tdap includes the pertussis vaccine. If you already had a dose of pertussis in your lifetime, the Td will be accepted as the booster. You need a version of Tdap, Td, DTP within the last 10 years.

MMR for the US is two doses, but there is a waiting period of 4 weeks between doses. If you have one and 4 weeks haven't passed by your medical date, you will be given a waiver for the second one. If you had just one dose years ago, then you need a second one.

Varicella- tell them you had chickenpox. They accept your word. OR for an IR1 visa, "not readily available" (it's not in the UK) is also an acceptable excuse for the jab to be waived.

What I can deduce from the vaccination requirements is that females aged from 14-26 have to get the HPV vaccine but those 27 and over do not need it. I am currently 26 and will be 27 in July, so would I be required to have this vaccine? I have also read elsewhere (not on visajourney) that this vaccine is no longer compulsory. If this is the case, I would prefer not to have this vaccine given the possible side effects.

The embassy list is out of date. Not a requirement.

Also I have read that I am required to present a 2 by 2 passport photo and police certificate at my medical. I have already submitted an original police certificate to the NVC and in my interview letter it said that this has been sent to the embassy. So am I still required to present one at the medical, or the interview? Fortunately, I did order two copies when I applied for it.

2 US sized passport photos are taken to the interview.

1 either size (US or UK) passport photo taken to the medical

Did you make a photocopy of your police report before you mailed it off. The medical wants to see it to evaluate your mental health portion of the exam which includes addictions. If you have arrests for drugs, alcohol, or pub brawls, it clues them in to ask more questions to determine if you have an alcohol or drug problem. I think people who already mailed their police report to NVC have gotten by just fine. I don't believe they were asked to order another for the medical exam. Just act sober and sane.

Edited February 11, 2013 by Nich-Nick

[Lovemad 7]

Take any records of immunizations you have already had. A written record from Boots or Tesco is perfectly fine for the flu. Flu season ends March 31.

Tdap includes the pertussis vaccine. If you already had a dose of pertussis in your lifetime, the Td will be accepted as the booster. You need a version of Tdap, Td, DTP within the last 10 years.

MMR for the US is two doses, but there is a waiting period of 4 weeks between doses. If you have one and 4 weeks haven't passed by your medical date, you will be given a waiver for the second one. If you had just one dose years ago, then you need a second one.

Varicella- tell them you had chickenpox. They accept your word. OR for an IR1 visa, "not readily available" (it's not in the UK) is also an acceptable excuse for the jab to be waived.

The embassy list is out of date. Not a requirement.

2 US sized passport photos are taken to the interview.

1 either size (US or UK) passport photo taken to the medical

Did you make a photocopy of your police report before you mailed it off. The medical wants to see it to evaluate your mental health portion of the exam which includes addictions. If you have arrests for drugs, alcohol, or pub brawls, it clues them in to ask more questions to determine if you have an alcohol or drug problem. I think people who already mailed their police report to NVC have gotten by just fine. I don't believe they were asked to order another for the medical exam. Just act sober and sane.

Thanks for this info NichNick. It has certainly helped to clear some things up for me. I have a clean sheet, so my police certificate says no trace. And I took a photocopy, so I'll just take that to the medical. Thanks again