New Vaccination (I-693) Question

[Groves 0]

Dear all,

I would appreciate advice / experiential wisdom regarding the terribly annoying matter of the 1-693 A.

I have read all of the posts and guides on this site, but still do not know what to do.

My wife, Sophie, arrived in the US from the UK about two weeks ago and we were promptly married (actually, we had our blessing and 'marriage' long before but finally made it official by obtaining a marriage license and certificate). She received her temporary EAD at JFK and would like to receive the longer EAD before the temp one expires (about 80 days from now). Therefore we want to get the AOS out ASAP.

Coming from the UK Sophie has had neither the hepatitis B vaccination nor the varicella vaccination (though she has had chicken pox and should be immune). We have her vaccination records and are set to go to the civil surgeon tomorrow, but I am wondering if it is worth it.

More specifically: if both Hep and Varicella vaccines take up to several months to be completed, would we have to wait until she is completely 'vaccinated' (i.e. has had all installments of the vaccinea) before sending of the AOS?? That seems somewhat ridiculous- won't her K-1 visa be expired nearly by then?

Alternatively, should we get the I-693A filled out tomorrow, get an appointment for the vaccines, and send in the AOS and I-693A with a note stating that the vaccines are forthcoming?

Or should we just send in the AOS w/out the I-693 with a note stating that Sophie had her medical one month ago and that we were never issued the DS-3250 (or whatever it is) from the doctor? And cross our fingers that we dont get RFE'd? (Though getting those vaccines in the meanwhile in case we do get RFE'd).

It seems this last option is most reasonable as it will take up to several months for the varicella and hep vaccines, arguably less time than the RFE would take (considering she might be vaccinated by an RFE would come).

And why dont they make K-1 candidates get these vaccines anyway???

Thank you,

Jason and Sophie Groves

[Mand 1]

The varicella vaccine consists of 2 shots, with 30 days between each, HOWEVER only the 1st one is needed for immigration purposes, the 2nd shot is merely a booster shot that the Doctors recommend you should get. I never got the Hep B vaccine in Ireland and didn't have to get it here either.

Also, to get the prior vaccines translated to the Vaccination Supplemental form, you will need a copy of the Vaccination Worksheet from the overseas medical as proof of vaccinations.

Hope that helps a bit

[raymaga 25]

You can provide the Vaccination Supplement at your interview, so you have lots of time to get it prepared.

If she has had chicken pox, then you don't need the vaccination. She will need to provide the approximate age (date) of when she had chicken pox and they will mark that on her Supplement.

[chiggins 0]

To the best of my knowledge, the Hepatitus vaccination is age-specific, and assuming she is an adult, she won't need it. In regard to the Varicella, the civil surgeon that did my I-693A drew my blood and tested it to see if I had chicken pox as a kid, which I did, so I didn't require the vaccination. It took 1 business day to get the results back, and cost $40 (including blood test and forms). I have heard of some civil surgeons simply asking if you had chicken pox as a kid, though I don't know how common this is. You might want to call around to get some prices for the blood test as well as the form.

I didn't send my I-693A with my AOS application, but will be bringing it with me for the interview. I didn't get RFE'ed, but I have heard of people that did the same thing and did get RFE'ed. I think it's down to the individual district office. In my opinion, if you can wait a few days and have the blood test done, I would do that then send the form with your application.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I would send in the supplement in with your AOS application. Not doing this has lead to RFEs and RFEs can get lost or complicate your case.

[Groves 0]

Thank you all for your help. I had conflicting information from the receptionist at the medical office (she said the vaccination supplement would not be released until after all of the vaccinations were done). I guess we will just go in tomorrow morning and see what happens (it is only $25 for the service in Baltimore!) and what they say.

Regards,

Jason

[jaaaaamas 0]

Has your spouse had chicken pox? Because verbal statements saying so is good enough for the civil surgeon. The shots aren't necessary if someone's had it already.

GET THE SUPPLEMENT FILLED OUT. If you want to send off the DS-3025 now, that is fine. Most people don't get RFE's since they've had a medical recently. However, at the time of the interview you may be asked for it. The officer who interviewed us said that 75% of the time, between your medical arriving at the airport with you when you first got to the US to when it actually gets to USCIS, the medical file gets misplaced and lost. She said that most people she interviews do not realize this, get there without bringing an I-693A supplement for precaution, and then have to redo their medicals because the original overseas medical results are not in the file anymore. She said that over half the couples who come in, end up having to redo the full medical exam as a result.

So as a precaution, she advised highly to anyone, to get the supplement done.

[Groves 0]

Thank you all for your help.

We ended up going to the civil surgeon, and after a 1.5 hour wait the clerk looked over Sophie's vaccination records, asked her if she had had chicken pox (she had) and told us the I 693 A would be ready in about 5 days. Longer than Id like to wait but worth it at only $25 and we will probably wait to send of the complete AOS until then.

--Jason

[Mand 1]

$25...nice!!!