Flu jab for medical?

[katieflossom 54]

Hi all,

I am currently in the USA (was waiting with my USC hubby whilst my interview was to be scheduled.) I land in UK on 28th Oct, and my medical is booked for 29th Oct.

My question is - Do I need to get a flu jab before I come back for my medical?

Thanks in advance

[Sheri&Rich 25]

For the cost of having it done, I would get it sorted and it's then crossed off the list regardless.

Rich

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

October 1 starts flu season, so yes you need to take evidence of immunization to your visa medical exam. You can get it in the US wherever is cheapest as long as you get some paper documentation to show Knightsbridge.

[katieflossom 54]

OK, thanks all. Will pop down to Walgreens and get it done this week. (NEVER had or wanted a flu jab before, hope I don't get sick from it, argh!)

[TMA 0]

I have a question surrounding flu jabs:

When I went to the medical all of my immunizations were fine, but I did need a flu jab. Knightsbridge wanted £25 for the jab, and I didn't want to pay that. When I get to the states, can I just get a flu jab, from walgreens for example, keep paper evidence of this having happened and supply this info with my AOS paperwork?

Cheers,

Tom.

I have a question surrounding flu jabs:

When I went to the medical all of my immunizations were fine, but I did need a flu jab. Knightsbridge wanted £25 for the jab, and I didn't want to pay that. When I get to the states, can I just get a flu jab, from walgreens for example, keep paper evidence of this having happened and supply this info with my AOS paperwork?

Cheers,

Tom.

[E&Z2 2]

I was told my vacc records were complete and I didn't have a flu jab but the nurse informed me that it is all dependant on what season your AOS interview is. If it is between Oct-March then you will require one, if not then you'll be fine. If we marry in December/January then AOS is likely to be three monthsish from then so March or April. She said we can get it done in the states if need be when you know your interview date.

So up to you I guess. I suppose it wouldn't do any harm?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I have a question surrounding flu jabs:

When I went to the medical all of my immunizations were fine, but I did need a flu jab. Knightsbridge wanted £25 for the jab, and I didn't want to pay that. When I get to the states, can I just get a flu jab, from walgreens for example, keep paper evidence of this having happened and supply this info with my AOS paperwork?

Cheers,

Tom.

First want to say the person who started this thread is CR1, so must be complete by visa interview. You have until AOS submission to be complete. However had you gotten the flu jab signed off by Knightsbridge, you would have been clear for AOS with their vaccination form. Your plan to get one at Walgreens for $31.99 is fine, but you can't mail a Walgreens paper to USCIS. You will have to pay a Civil Surgeon in the US to sign off on a new immunization form (I-693). That becomes the problem and further expense. But there is another plan---

A flu shot, being seasonal is easier to get around than say MMR. Flu shots are required for adults of all ages (changed Nov 2010) if your visa exam was between (Oct 1 and March 31). But if the AOS adjudicator picks up your case when it is not flu season, you will be excused. And the reverse is true. The adjudicator picks up your case during flu season, but sees it was NOT flu season when you had your medical exam, you are also excused because the date they go by is the date of your exam to determine if you were current on that date.

So for you, if your full AOS approval date falls after Mar 31 and no later than Oct1 next year, you will not need a flu jab. That does not mean file after Mar 31. It means approved when it is not flu season.

[TMA 0]

First want to say the person who started this thread is CR1, so must be complete by visa interview. You have until AOS submission to be complete. However had you gotten the flu jab signed off by Knightsbridge, you would have been clear for AOS with their vaccination form. Your plan to get one at Walgreens for $31.99 is fine, but you can't mail a Walgreens paper to USCIS. You will have to pay a Civil Surgeon in the US to sign off on a new immunization form (I-693). That becomes the problem and further expense. But there is another plan---

A flu shot, being seasonal is easier to get around than say MMR. Flu shots are required for adults of all ages (changed Nov 2010) if your visa exam was between (Oct 1 and March 31). But if the AOS adjudicator picks up your case when it is not flu season, you will be excused. And the reverse is true. The adjudicator picks up your case during flu season, but sees it was NOT flu season when you had your medical exam, you are also excused because the date they go by is the date of your exam to determine if you were current on that date.

So for you, if your full AOS approval date falls after Mar 31 and no later than Oct1 next year, you will not need a flu jab. That does not mean file after Mar 31. It means approved when it is not flu season.

Considering both the Orlando and Tampa offices take nearly 200 days (6.5 months) between applying for AOS and interview - then applying before March (which I will be doing) should see me through okay before the following October. If it starts to look iffy, then I guess I'll have to look in to the ways in which I can get a civil surgeon to sign off on an I-693 with an updated flu shot.

Cheers for the help,

Tom.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Considering both the Orlando and Tampa offices take nearly 200 days (6.5 months) between applying for AOS and interview - then applying before March (which I will be doing) should see me through okay before the following October. If it starts to look iffy, then I guess I'll have to look in to the ways in which I can get a civil surgeon to sign off on an I-693 with an updated flu shot.

Cheers for the help,

Tom.

At that point, I would just wait and see what the interviewer says. No matter what the rules state, the individuals at local offices can come up with all kinds things out of their heads. And so wait and see if yours overlooks it or sends you off to a civil surgeon. You could even have a Walgreens proof with you and convince him you are covered and a Civil Surgeon will charge you over $100 to look at it and sign off. So many variables happen with the many local adjudicators. See how it plays out.

[TMA 0]

At that point, I would just wait and see what the interviewer says. No matter what the rules state, the individuals at local offices can come up with all kinds things out of their heads. And so wait and see if yours overlooks it or sends you off to a civil surgeon. You could even have a Walgreens proof with you and convince him you are covered and a Civil Surgeon will charge you over $100 to look at it and sign off. So many variables happen with the many local adjudicators. See how it plays out.

Thanks for the info and advice, really appreciate it,

Tom.

[justin-s 8]

to the OP: don't know what Walgreens charges, but I was waiting in the US too, and arrived in the UK this morning. I got the flu jab done at Boots (booked online on their website) for £12.99, so probably cheaper than the US. They give free vitamin C and nasal spray with it too.

[Pheebs1201 269]

So to clarify, the flu "season" relates to the month your AOS is being processed (if it falls within that window) and is optional for the K1 visa? Or is it applicable to the K1 if the interview occurs during flu season also? Hope my question makes sense!

[wbeem 568]

OK, thanks all. Will pop down to Walgreens and get it done this week. (NEVER had or wanted a flu jab before, hope I don't get sick from it, argh!)

You will be fine. I had mine a few weeks ago at a private travel clinic and it cost me £12. I didn't feel a thing and had no side effects. They told me to start taking parecetamol at regular intervals for 24 hours before and after. No symptoms or side effects at all.

So to clarify, the flu "season" relates to the month your AOS is being processed (if it falls within that window) and is optional for the K1 visa? Or is it applicable to the K1 if the interview occurs during flu season also? Hope my question makes sense!

If your Medical in the UK falls during flu seasonn (October to April) then you need it. If you haven't had it and your AOS in the US falls during flu season then you need it. It was just less hassle for me to go get it done here now and get documentation to take to the medical so they can list it on my form and I'm done with it. Hope that helps and that I understood your question correctly.

[katieflossom 54]

to the OP: don't know what Walgreens charges, but I was waiting in the US too, and arrived in the UK this morning. I got the flu jab done at Boots (booked online on their website) for £12.99, so probably cheaper than the US. They give free vitamin C and nasal spray with it too.

You will be fine. I had mine a few weeks ago at a private travel clinic and it cost me £12. I didn't feel a thing and had no side effects. They told me to start taking parecetamol at regular intervals for 24 hours before and after. No symptoms or side effects at all.

If your Medical in the UK falls during flu seasonn (October to April) then you need it. If you haven't had it and your AOS in the US falls during flu season then you need it. It was just less hassle for me to go get it done here now and get documentation to take to the medical so they can list it on my form and I'm done with it. Hope that helps and that I understood your question correctly.

Got it done the other day at Walgreens. Yes it was $31.99, but seeing as I only arrive back in the UK day before my medical, I wanted to make sure it was done and no side effects that could effect my medical.

FYI - do you know they offer a "nasal mist" is the USA? Seems totally sci-fi to me!!

And as NichNick said, I'm CR1 not a K1.

[wbeem 568]

FYI - do you know they offer a "nasal mist" is the USA? Seems totally sci-fi to me!!

Me too! I only heard about it for the first time when I was in for my titre tests and had my flu shot and the nurse told me, when I asked to make an appointment for my 12 year old's flu shot, that they are issuing them in nasal mist form in some of the schools so I should wait. Every day is a school day!