Wondering about vaccine requirements

[maeve808 5]

We'll be doing DCF in Frankfurt and have a question about the vaccine requirements. My spouse is from an Eastern European country and it seems they didn't have the MMR combination vaccine in the 1980s (when she was born). She received two immunizations of what they call Measles and Parotitis (which I believe is mumps, but I'm not sure). Also, in her health record it says she has suffered from rubeola. Does this mean she has the MMR part covered? I'm not sure if rubella and rubeola are the same though.

Also, for the Tdap (tetanus, diphteria, pertussis) vaccine: do you need this vaccine if you have received it anytime in the past? Or does it have to be within the last 10 years? My spouse got her last shot in 2001, so it's 12 years now. Would she have to get a refresher?

Also, if you have suffered from Varicella in the past, does this mean you don't have to get the Varicella vaccine?

[Mark88 184]

We also did DCF in Frankfurt and were confused at the time with the required vaccinations. Even contacted the consulate about this a couple times, but in the end they will only refer you to their panel physicians and I guess this was the only way to be sure. When you have your medical exam they will take a look of all the stuff you provide them and then determine which vaccines and refreshers will be necessary. I hope this helps a little.

[maeve808 5]

Thanks Mark for your reply. The only reason why we wanted to be sure how many vaccines will be necessary is so that we could already get one now. So if two different vaccines are required, we would be able to space them out and do one now and one later. But I guess no way to be sure in advance.

[Mark88 184]

Unless you're a doctor, you probaly won't know in andvance what the US consulate requires from you. A friend of ours turned 27 just days before she had her medical. Eventhough i.e. HPV vaccine is only required until your 26, she had to get the vaccine because she filed the I-130 when she was under 27. All stupid and confusing, but that's just the way it is with USCIS.

[mariepear 12]

All I can tell you for sure is that she is gonna need Tdap if her last one was 12 years ago...It has to be within the last 10 years. And if she had chicken pox in the past, then Varicella vaccine is not required.

[maeve808 5]

Yes, sounds like she will need to get at least the Tdap again. Thanks all for your replies. They were very helpful!