Tdap vaccination "not routinely available"

[Quarter 2]

Hi there,

I've just been approved for my K1 visa, and while I was looking at the AOS guide here on VisaJourney, I saw this:

If you are missing any shots from your overseas medical a I-693 vaccination transcription is required to be completed by seeing a Civil Surgeon to have certain portions of the I-693 completed and have the Civil Surgeon certify the form (sealing the original in an envelope and giving you a copy).

Sorry for the stupid question, but do I have to see a Civil Surgeon because of my vaccination being "not routinely available" in my home country of Malaysia?

Thanks!

[Caryh 5,206]

Is your I-693 signed off as complete? If its signed off on, you shouldn't need a civil surgeon here in the USA. If not signed as complete, a civil surgeon may be required. This is one of those grey areas where some turn in a copy of the I-693 which is not signed and get their green card, while others get an RFE for attempting the same thing. My wife and I chose to visit the Civil Surgeon and be sure it wasn't an issue.

[Daveykins 17]

Find a civil surgeon, money well spent to avoid a possible RFE. Do a search on here for Civil Surgeon and the town or state that you live in to find one that won't try to rip you off to get a tdap shot and fill out simple paperwork. Ours charged us less than $100 for a couple of shots plus the paperwork.

[Quarter 2]

Is your I-693 signed off as complete? If its signed off on, you shouldn't need a civil surgeon here in the USA. If not signed as complete, a civil surgeon may be required. This is one of those grey areas where some turn in a copy of the I-693 which is not signed and get their green card, while others get an RFE for attempting the same thing. My wife and I chose to visit the Civil Surgeon and be sure it wasn't an issue.

Is the I-693 in that sealed envelope that was given to me? If so, I guess I can only find out once I enter the country. :/

Find a civil surgeon, money well spent to avoid a possible RFE. Do a search on here for Civil Surgeon and the town or state that you live in to find one that won't try to rip you off to get a tdap shot and fill out simple paperwork. Ours charged us less than $100 for a couple of shots plus the paperwork.

That's true. Avoiding the RFE would be time well spent. I'll see if there's a Civil Surgeon in Brooklyn!

[Daveykins 17]

The completed medical form is in the sealed envelope that you give to the border agent when you enter the US. My wife's wasn't the actual i-693 but had the DS-2035 which listed all of the vaccines that were given before entering the US. Make sure you have a copy of this as you'll need it to complete the i-693. We had to take that to a civil surgeon to get it transferred to an i-693 and get the second dose of shots that were missing. It was a while so I'm not certain this is correct but I'm sure someone will correct me if not.

[Caryh 5,206]

Is the I-693 in that sealed envelope that was given to me? If so, I guess I can only find out once I enter the country. :/

That's true. Avoiding the RFE would be time well spent. I'll see if there's a Civil Surgeon in Brooklyn!

I might have the number wrong, the I-963 might be what the civil surgeon fills out. But the vaccination sheet you get during your medical. If its signed off on, then you're good to go as long as its not one year since the medical was given. Some have gotten by with it unsigned. The rest of it was forwarded when you hand your packet off on entry. Although I've also heard of that getting lost by the government and people being required to retake the entire medical exam again. Not very fair when its the government who lost it. Sorry didn't mean to scare you, that is pretty rare.

civil surgeons in NY, you should be able to find a reasonable one, there's plenty of competition.

https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.summary&OfficeLocator.office_type=CIV&OfficeLocator.statecode=NY

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Hi there,

I've just been approved for my K1 visa, and while I was looking at the AOS guide here on VisaJourney, I saw this:

Sorry for the stupid question, but do I have to see a Civil Surgeon because of my vaccination being "not routinely available" in my home country of Malaysia?

Thanks!

This post might be helpful.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/491424-q-aos-k1-i-693-ds-3025/

[sweet cakes 326]

Hi there,

I've just been approved for my K1 visa, and while I was looking at the AOS guide here on VisaJourney, I saw this:

Sorry for the stupid question, but do I have to see a Civil Surgeon because of my vaccination being "not routinely available" in my home country of Malaysia?

Thanks!

Since your vaccination is not complete, you will have to look for a civil surgeon (CS) that can give you the Tdap vaccine.

You might want to go through this VJ thread that have been compiled through the years for a CS list that won't rip you off: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/231026-civil-surgeons-who-dont-rip-you-off/

If you can't find any CS in that link that is near your area, here's the uscis CS locator: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=CIV

You would have to call around to look for a CS that is willing to transcribe the vaccination part of I-693 and can give you your missing vaccine/s. Be careful as some will ask you to do a complete medical, which is unnecessary and costly.

Edited May 6, 2014 by sweet cakes

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

You do not have the Tdap/TD vaccination and it is one that is required for AOS. You need to get that shot and have a civil surgeon transcribe your vaccinations onto an I-693. See this post for details all about needing a civil surgeon or not > http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/428381-i-693-report-of-medical-examination-and-vaccination-report/?p=6206232

[Quarter 2]

Thank you so much for the responses everyone! They're incredibly helpful and will prepare me better for what to expect next.

[nobbie 105]

The form you already have will be a DS 3025, the I 693 is what the civil surgeon will transcribe it on to should you need to have that done.

[icebryker 21]

I have the same problem. Tdap wasn't available at St. Luke's when I had my medical. My husband and I are now preparing my AOS documents. I had my Tdap shot done but I have to find a civil surgeon to transcribe it for me.

[zuluweta 250]

I have the same problem. Tdap wasn't available at St. Luke's when I had my medical. My husband and I are now preparing my AOS documents. I had my Tdap shot done but I have to find a civil surgeon to transcribe it for me.

The civil surgeon (or his nursing assistant?) should've been the one to administer your Tdap vaccine and the civil surgeon should also transcribe your DS-3025 vaccination sheet from St. Luke's Extension Clinic onto the I-693.

I was also missing my Tdap vaccine since St. Luke's didn't have it when I had my vaccinations with them.

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

You can get the shots elsewhere and take your vaccination records with you to the civil surgeon to have them transcribed. It is not a requirement that the vaccinations be given by the civil surgeon.

[Caryh 5,206]

The civil surgeon (or his nursing assistant?) should've been the one to administer your Tdap vaccine and the civil surgeon should also transcribe your DS-3025 vaccination sheet from St. Luke's Extension Clinic onto the I-693.

I was also missing my Tdap vaccine since St. Luke's didn't have it when I had my vaccinations with them.

Our civil surgeon suggested we get them at our clinic before coming to see him, because they're so expensive for him to give. He said if we didn't have a clinic or insurance, he could recommend places where it could be obtained at low cost.