Lost vaccination record frustration - Namibia

[The Burts 6]

Hello everyone,

I don't know where or how to start this frustrating topic. Me and my daughter are about to start our NVC process, but I lost our vaccination records, mine was burnt in my grandfather's house more than 27 years ago. I just read on this forum that vaccination records has to be submitted when your petition is approved. In Namibia all required vaccination required by USCIS are being received by everyone since birth to the age of 15 (I had received mine too but no proof anymore). Since I/we received all vaccinations before, I heard that you can do Antibody-Titer Test in order for the vaccination team to see which one you will need to take and which one not to. I asked a nurse if I can repeat all my vaccination from the beginning till to whatever I need to but she said its bad for my health. The problem is now that they wont help us at the State Health Care and the Private Doctors are way much ridiculously costly (+-N$10000.00 for test, N$6000.00 for medicine you have to buy from pharmacy and plus consultation fees for both of us).

Here comes the questions

1. Does anybody from Namibia or went through South Africa Consulate for medical check up ever experiences this? If yes, please advise.

2. Will it be really bad if I repeat the vaccination since it has been done 27 years ago? Except our daughter (she is 13 years).

3. If we happen to need more vaccine after our approval, can we finish the rest in US?

I wont mind repeating but the problem is just that, if I happen to do it; it will be 4 weeks after each one. I don't want to wait this long anymore. This is eating my brain up than waiting for NOA2.

Please help

Monika

[Gretch 11]

I am a nurse (in the US). Of course I can't give you medical advice as I do not know you personally and am not treating you or examining you, but I can tell you that for the average person, there is no problem with repeating any vaccine that was given long ago. This is actually commonly done in the US for people who have lost their vaccine records. In some cases the lab test can be done, as you say, but other times we just give the vaccine--the vaccines are cheaper here than the tests, anyway.

The hepatitis B is one example of a vaccine series, and I have seen that the series does not need to be complete in order to get your visa approved. There's always the possibility that the doctor or person interviewing will insist upon it, I suppose (I have lived in SSA and have learned never to assume any government official will go by the written rules).

My husband doesn't have his vaccine records and I am advising him to redo whatever the doctor requires (he is also a nurse and agrees with me). In Rwanda some clinics are cheaper than others, so he will probably go to an inexpensive clinic for the vaccines we know he needs and get a vaccine record there to take to the official doctor, since we don't know how much that doctor will charge. I always suspect that anyone who knows my husband is married to an American or applying for a visa will try to charge him extra.

This is off-topic, but have you gotten your police certificates yet? I just mention it because even though the process looks simple, in both Kenya and Rwanda it has turned out to be more complicated than I ever expected. I wish we had started that process sooner.

[The Burts 6]

I am a nurse (in the US). Of course I can't give you medical advice as I do not know you personally and am not treating you or examining you, but I can tell you that for the average person, there is no problem with repeating any vaccine that was given long ago. This is actually commonly done in the US for people who have lost their vaccine records. In some cases the lab test can be done, as you say, but other times we just give the vaccine--the vaccines are cheaper here than the tests, anyway.

The hepatitis B is one example of a vaccine series, and I have seen that the series does not need to be complete in order to get your visa approved. There's always the possibility that the doctor or person interviewing will insist upon it, I suppose (I have lived in SSA and have learned never to assume any government official will go by the written rules).

My husband doesn't have his vaccine records and I am advising him to redo whatever the doctor requires (he is also a nurse and agrees with me). In Rwanda some clinics are cheaper than others, so he will probably go to an inexpensive clinic for the vaccines we know he needs and get a vaccine record there to take to the official doctor, since we don't know how much that doctor will charge. I always suspect that anyone who knows my husband is married to an American or applying for a visa will try to charge him extra.

This is off-topic, but have you gotten your police certificates yet? I just mention it because even though the process looks simple, in both Kenya and Rwanda it has turned out to be more complicated than I ever expected. I wish we had started that process sooner.

Thank you for your response and advise Gretch.

I think for myself I will just repeat the vaccines. What about our daughter 13 years old, is it dangerous for her to repeat? I also heard that some VAX might be not available for certain age. I thought this was going to be smooth but its just as worse as waiting to reunite with our beloved ones.

Yes, I got police certificate 2014 before I change my surname and I got the other one in 2015 September in my new surname. I hope this will be okay with the embassy.

Wishing you the best of luck in your journey.

Monika

[Gretch 11]

It's true that some vaccines are not given based on age, but that won't create a problem for you; if the doctor says the vaccine is not valid or not available for her, the embassy won't require it. I do not know of any problems with a 13-year-old repeating vaccines either, if she is an average healthy girl.

Regarding police certificates, check your country's requirements. In many countries a police certificate is invalid after six months or one year, if you are a current resident.

[The Burts 6]

Gretch

Thank you soo much for your input. Our daughter is a healthy crazy kid who keeps us busy and talking all day long sometimes. I miss my husband very much especially when he keeps her busy with handwork like repairing her bicycle, driving, watch her when she climbs the trees or do gardening together and her school home works & projects while I'm relaxing a bit or just preparing meals and laugh at them disputing on some things.

Last time I ask about my police certificate, they told me that it does not really expired except when it comes onto an individual requirement of different cases or country that would prefer very latest ones. I was told that its good as up to 3 years if you haven't get yourself into trouble with law after received it (which I have not yet).

[The Burts 6]

Thank you Gretch for your input.This is Tom, Monika's husband. While I greatly respect your knowledge as a nurse, I have a strong reservation towards vaccines, so the idea of my wife or daughter getting vaccines they do not need to get (IE: repeated) is unacceptable.

That is why I want them to get the Titer test done to ascertain exactly which ones they need and to avoid any repeats. I've learned enough about vaccines to have serious doubts about their efficacy and safety.

Thanks again for your input and good luck and God speed on being reunited with your husband!

Tom