A word of caution for school-aged K2s

[Tina and Johan 206]

Hello! my K2 stepson arrived from Ireland on July 25th. He had his medical exam on May 14th in Dublin with his dad. ON his DS-3025, the doctor marked several of his immunizations "not age appropriate" (he's 10), and also "vaccine history complete," when in fact, he now needs FIVE total shots (3 immediately) before he can start school on Wednesday. My husband took the DS-3025 down to the school, and they told him, according to state law, without these vaccines he cannot start school. We're in California. The huge downside to this situation is that the shots came free with the medical exam. My husband had 3 of his own that day. Now he is being quoted $350 for these. Needless to say, we're on the hunt for a vaccine clinic Monday-Tuesday! We never considered checking with the local school to ensure that the USCIS's requirements and the state's requirements would match. Now we're in a race to get this poor kid vaccinated so he can start school. (side note: I highly doubt HE is in a race to ensure his starting school on time! ). So, if you know where your K2 will be attending school, make sure the vaccines are done prior to arrival in the USA. What a hassle.

[Hypnos 6,576]

The local health department may be able to help with cheap or free vaccinations; you should contact them and ask (the school may even be able to help there).

And yes, states have their own requirements when it comes to vaccincations required for schools. It's two competing systems here - state vs federal - and as you found out they do not always track together.

Last year my son actually had to miss the first week of school because the doctor couldn't fit him in earlier to receive his required shots, and Texas state law does not allow a child without either the required vaccinations or a waiver to attend school.

[Tina and Johan 206]

Yikes! We're doing the waiver if he can't get the shots tomorrow or Tuesday (California does allow this). But what a mess. Seriously. My husband wants to send the Dr in Dublin a nasty email!

I wish we'd realized that even THIS sort of thing isn't federally regulated. (sigh)

Edited to add: thanks for the reply, Hypnos. I feel better knowing it's not just us.

Edited August 18, 2014 by Tina and Johan

[artattack 4]

I'm wondering what vaccines are different between IRL and CA? My daughter starts 1st grade next week (she is 6 - in 1st class at home in Dublin) and as far as I am aware we are up to date with what we received at home in Dublin. Is it the school age boosters they get later on? Just curious!

Edited August 18, 2014 by artattack

[bunnygirl 86]

I'm wondering what vaccines are different between IRL and CA? My daughter starts 1st grade next week (she is 6 - in 1st class at home in Dublin) and as far as I am aware we are up to date with what we received at home in Dublin. Is it the school age boosters they get later on? Just curious!

Just google vaccination requirements for your state - to be honest I'm a bit surprised people wouldn't have checked this before moving!

If it helps, we're moving to Texas and my son will need extra shots of all his UK pre-school boosters.

[artattack 4]

As I said - just curious I did check this before moving! The only difference between what they require in CA and in Ireland for her age is Varicella (though varicella is not required for her school district)

Edited August 18, 2014 by artattack

[Tina and Johan 206]

From what I could see on his DS-3025, he didn't have any boosters after his 1st birthday. Perhaps he wasn't actually up to date in Ireland either? He's entering 5th grade here in California. What surprised me is that the federal government requirement didn't trump the state requirement. Maybe it was a blonde moment on my part (grin), but when it was checked "all vaccinations up to date," we believed them. Now I wonder if this will be an issue for his AOS.

He needs: Polio #4,Dtap #4, and Hepatitis #1-3, but only #1 for now, since he needs to have time between. Here in the US, they do those before kindergarten. He's getting his done today.

Edited August 18, 2014 by Tina and Johan

[artattack 4]

Well despite the hassle glad you were able to get them. In Ireland they gave my daughter the 4 in 1 (diphtheria, polio, tetanus, whooping cough) and mmr booster in junior infants (4-5 years of age) in school. I feel like with so many different aspects of international move, visa application (applying for a IR-1 for my Irish husband) etc it is hard to keep up on every detail. Sometimes my head is spinning with all the coordination of this! Congrats in your wedding by the way - I see you were recently married! I hope this won't hold up the AOS, I can't imagine it would since you rectified it. You may know this but if you need further proof of his Ireland vacs he received at birth you can get a copy of the record from the local health center in the area he resided in in Ireland, you will just need to phone the to request it - give his pps number and send in a photocopy of his passport and your husband's passport and they will post it out.