What are the rules for getting additional required vaccinations?

[shira 4]

My wife will be receiving her CR1 visa in the next few days, but she's not going to immigrate until early March (she wants to spend Spring Festival with her elderly (and very worried) father before she leaves). My wife received four vaccinations at the time of her medical examination, and was given a yellow booklet that shows the information on these injections. But she's required to receive additional injections to complete the series for some of these vaccinations.

My questions are:

1. What are the rules for getting these additional vaccination injections? Since she won't be immigrating until about 13 weeks after her initial vaccinations, is she required to get additional injections in China?
2. Can my wife get these injections from ANY American doctor, or are their restrictions?
3. How do we prove that all required injections have been received?
4. What do we do when all required injections are completed?

Thanks (again)!

[Jeanna 21]

Hi there, and congrats on the approval! If she gets another in a series, have her yellow booklet marked (it's an immunization passport, right?) if there is space. If not, get a note from the doctor. Some vaccines must be done on schedule and some you can be late on. If she is scheduled for a vaccine and she is still in China, she should get it. Otherwise, she can wait.

[shira 4]

Hi there, and congrats on the approval! If she gets another in a series, have her yellow booklet marked (it's an immunization passport, right?) if there is space. If not, get a note from the doctor. Some vaccines must be done on schedule and some you can be late on. If she is scheduled for a vaccine and she is still in China, she should get it. Otherwise, she can wait.

Yes, a CR1 is an immigration visa.

My wife told me that the immunization instructions seemed to state that additional injections in China must be at one of the four medical examination centers. That would be extremely inconvenient and expensive. Do you know if this requirement is correct?

I really need her to make a copy of the instructions and send them to me.

Edited November 10, 2013 by shira

[Jeanna 21]

I've never heard of anyone needing more shots than what was required for the visa. Since it's already been issued I can't see how that would be a problem. The officer at her appointment would have advised her. But I agree you should get her to email you a copy of that letter; it's always best to have 2 eyes checking things out.

[Darnell 8,478]

my wife was told the 'same stuff' at her medical exam.

She has choices, too:

1. go back to guangzhou via train and get another round of shots or

2. get the boosters done when she hits usa soil or

3. find a competent hospital in her city that has real medicine and get the boosters prior to leaving.

she needed the boosters at least 1 month past getting the first set, IIRC.

[shira 4]

my wife was told the 'same stuff' at her medical exam.

She has choices, too:

1. go back to guangzhou via train and get another round of shots or

2. get the boosters done when she hits usa soil or

3. find a competent hospital in her city that has real medicine and get the boosters prior to leaving.

she needed the boosters at least 1 month past getting the first set, IIRC.

My wife said that she was told that at least six weeks must pass before getting boosters.

But is there a maximum-allowed time between the initial vaccinations and her booster's? Is it acceptable to wait, say, four or five months without boosters and then enter the U.S.? Would she be refused entry?

Are the rules and protocols for boosters listed in any official USCIS publication?

It does sound like your opinion is that my wife could get another round of boosters at Sichuan University Hospital. But what's considered acceptable documentation of these boosters?

Edited November 10, 2013 by shira

[Darnell 8,478]

fwiw - not getting the shots

does NOT keep her from walking out the exit door at the POE.

[shira 4]

fwiw - not getting the shots

does NOT keep her from walking out the exit door at the POE.

So you're saying that getting boosters is entirely voluntary at this point? There's no enforceable immigration requirement for receiving boosters?

[shira 4]

Ah, I found this USCIS Q&A sheet (bolding is mine):

http://www.uscis.gov/news/questions-and-answers/vaccination-requirements

Q. Certain vaccine series can only be completed with multiple visits to the civil surgeon. Am I required to complete the entire series before the civil surgeon can sign the Form I-693?

A. You are only required to receive a single dose of each vaccine when you visit the civil surgeon. You are encouraged to follow up with your private health care provider to complete the series. Once you have received the single dose appropriate at the time, the civil surgeon can sign and certify the Form I-693.

"Encouraged," not "required." So the boosters aren't a requirement.

[bigdog 376]

If you were approved and have the time get them in China, your choice. My wife did and while a the US CS, he did a TB test reviewed her x-rays and did a current blood test. If she is on your medical that will save you some money on the exam part not the USCIS paperwork part.

[Darnell 8,478]

So you're saying that getting boosters is entirely voluntary at this point? There's no enforceable immigration requirement for receiving boosters?

That's my understanding. NOT REQUIRED , lack of boosters not stop anything at the POE.

other related stuff - did your wife receive a yellow international immunization shot record book ? My wife got one, but paid an extra 20 rmb to have a 2nd book made. the first book went into the medical packet and the 2nd book she kept. So, IMO, if you can find (or she can find) a reputable clinic/hospital that 1] handles those shots and 2] knows to make the entry into the shot record book then she can complete the shots in China.

We had planned for her to go back to Guangzhou for the boosters, a nice side trip for the two of us when I am there, soonish.