Do I need all these vaccinations or is this a ripoff attempt by doctor ?

[strangefella 1]

22 hours ago, sparkles_ said:

Husband, but yes. They did titer tests for the big ones. He didn't get any hep A or varicella at all if I recall

I will request the titer test for varicella. I had chicken pox as a kid, so I am pretty sure I have immunity against that. 

 

22 hours ago, Nouchigang said:

Hello,

 

I just did my exam in Maryland and yes civil surgeons do rip you off. I had titers done thru our insurance and had all the proof with me, but they still didnt accept it and made me redo it and of course pay for it. They said immigration is very picky yada yada yada.

Anyways First of you do not Hep A thats for sure.

You do need Varicella, MMR, Hep B, Gonorrhea, Tdap (for tetanus) and syphilis. I would definitely search for another one because this is too expensive.

I paid $278 for a MMR titer, Immigration Physical, Gonorrhea, Syphilis. I had proof for my Hep B and did have Varicella as a child so didnt need to get it verified.

 

I am not sure if you have insurance or not but if you can have it at a low cost, get a titer to prove that you had some of the vaccines

For the ones you are missing, contact your insurance and see if they would cover it if you get it done at a clinic.

When searching for another civil surgeon make sure to ask them if they would accept titers from other places and get all proof for the vaccines

Please tell me which doctor you went to.
I don't think this doctor wants me to get the shots anywhere but his place. Insurance won't cover it for sure. They did not cover my wife's rabies shot when she got bit by a feral cat, because it was not considered "essential".

So there is a vaccine for syphilis ? I don't see it listed anywhere as a requirement. 

 

21 hours ago, NovaSprings said:

Have a look at the following (scroll down to vaccinations) ..... Looks like your list is different than the official list....https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/interview/interview-prepare/medical-examination-faqs.html

Oh. I was looking at this list. Basically a subset of your list. 
https://www.uscis.gov/news/questions-and-answers/vaccination-requirements

 

19 hours ago, NikLR said:

Varicella is chicken pox.  If you've had it you shouldn't need the vaccine.

You do not need hep a or b as they are not age appropriate.  Hep B vaccinations are given to 5th graders. 

I know they test for syphilis but dont think they test for gonorrhea.  

You need mmr and tdap or at least TD. 

I did not know what. I had chicken pox, measles and mumps as a kid. So I am pretty sure I am immune. Is TDAP basically a booster for DPT that is given to kids ? 

7 hours ago, EandH0904 said:

Hepatitis B is a bloodborne pathogen that currently infects adults. It's given to 5th graders in the US because it is mandated by state law (in my state - it's given to newborns!) - if a person hasn't had the Hep B series, it's required to have upon entry.

 

Hepatitis A is a foodborne illness and is not routinely given as a preventative vaccination in the US, but is also required. 

 

@strangefella That link above is the vaccinations that are required, they include:  Hepaitis A, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Influeza type B (Hib), MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Pneumonia, Pertussis and Tetanus (the TDAP vaccine covers both), Polio, Rotavirus, Meningitis and Varicella. Varicella is commonly known as "Chicken Pox" here - but there is another disease, known as "Shingles" that is also a strain of the varicella line. 

 

As a RN - I don't think that Hep A, Rotovirus, Pneumonia, Meningitis are commonly given in the US, but if they are required, then I guess you should just do them. 

 

So the only one on your list which isn't needed really is the Gono one. 

I had chicken pox, mumps and measles as a kid. So I will just ask for a titer test for Varicella. Now do I need MMR or do I ask for a titer ? I had the BCG shot as a kid. 

6 hours ago, AshMarty said:

Also you will likely need a chest X-ray instead of the TB test since you received the BCG vaccine. 

 

The BCG vaccine would  likely cause you to have a false positive on the TB test. If you from one of the countries that gives this vaccine than you may required to get a chest X-ray to confirm you do not have tuberculosis.

 

The US does not offer this vaccine so we can perform the TB test pretty easily. 

 

My husband is from Australia and received the vaccine, so he was required to get a chest X-ray. 

 

https://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/vaccines.htm

So if I had BCG then do I need this MMR vaccine ? I had a skin test when I first came to US. I did not have a false positive, although I know that some people did. 

6 hours ago, Tenreyro said:

Aren't there only 4 vaccines required for applicants between 18 and 65?

(TD, Measles, Varicella and Influenza)

 

This chart is shown on the CDC website, which is where USCIS page sends you for information. The chart is literally called "Vaccine Requirements According to Applicant Age"

 

Sorry, I ask because I am genuinely interested on the topic, and want to correct any mistake I have on how I thought things might be.

Where did you find this information ? Can you share the link ?  The list of mandatory vaccinations is confusing!

3 hours ago, Mrsjackson said:

Never in all my research heard of the gono one. I would seriously question that. 

Might be a ripoff attempt. 

2 hours ago, gc@gc said:

 

you can get most of them from cvs, walgreens, ridaid, etc, most of them they are free (covered by your health insurance, no copy pay)

 

For sure, but I am not sure if any doctor will accept it. 

1 hour ago, Orangesapples said:

I've never heard of a gonorrhea vaccine either, but a gonorrhea test is required now. 

Might be the test, not vaccination then. How is the test done ? Blood test or urine test ? 

8 minutes ago, CaliRose said:

Hi where did you get ur vaccine? Shall we do it our family Dr? Because when i told my primary dr he said I can't do immigration vaccine because they will reject it. So how can i get all those? I had done some of them before but no record on my hand. 

I went to my primary care physician. One thing for sure, if I find another doctor that will do all this immigration shots for much less, I will switch doctors.

[EandH0904 1,184]

You may need a varicella booster even if you had the vaccination. It helps w shingles. The titers may or may not cost more than the vaccine. 

[Californiansunset 336]

4 hours ago, Mrsjackson said:

Never in all my research heard of the gono one. I would seriously question that. 

It's a new requirement as of October 2016 for immigration. I was lucky that I did my medical in September 2016 so the doctor said that USCIS will accept my application without it and thus my medical was cheaper. If I had went just a few weeks later I would have had to get the gonorrhea test. It's a thing now. 

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

On 10.04.2018 at 7:34 PM, strangefella said:

Need to get the medical exam done and here is what the office of my primary care physician quoted me.

Looks like doctor office is seriously trying to rip you off. If you're between ages 18 and 64, all vaccines you need are (unless something changed in the last few years, didn't pay attention since I have done in earlier): Tdap, MMR, Varicella and Flu shot. Nothing else is required. Also, if you've had Varicella (chicken pox) in the past your blood can be tested for antibodies and if result is positive you don't need that shot. I had the Varicella test and it was much cheaper than a vaccination.

 

- Victor from Russia

Edited April 11, 2018 by Amy_and_Victor

[Orangesapples 1,954]

1 hour ago, strangefella said:

 

So there is a vaccine for syphilis ? I don't see it listed anywhere as a requirement. 

 

 

Might be the test, not vaccination then. How is the test done ? Blood test or urine test ? 

 

There's no vaccine for syphilis required. I'm not sure if it even exists, to be honest. There is a blood test for syphilis required at the medical though. 

 

The gonorrhea test is a vaginal swab for women and a urine test for men. 

[Orangesapples 1,954]

40 minutes ago, Amy_and_Victor said:

Looks like doctor office is seriously trying to rip you off. If you're between ages 18 and 64, all vaccines you need are (unless something changed in the last few years, didn't pay attention since I have done in earlier): Tdap, MMR, Varicella and Flu shot. Nothing else is required. Also, if you've had Varicella (chicken pox) in the past your blood can be tested for antibodies and if result is positive you don't need that shot. I had the Varicella test and it was much cheaper than a vaccination.

 

- Victor from Russia

I think that for women under 26 an HPV vaccine is required, too, but I'm not sure 

[Nouchigang 200]

Hello @strangefella and @CaliRose I went to Primary Care of Silver Springs: 10301 Georgia Avenue, Silver Springs. Phone: 301-681-7010

For syphilis and Gonorrhea my mistake they are not vaccines but urine tests that are required.

See attached a picture of the receipt from the civil surgeon I went to, it shows everything that is required from immigration and the prices they charge at that specific clinic.

So as a summary here is wht is required:

Vaccines or proof with a titer: Tdap (tetanus), Flu (Only between October and  March 31st, cant remember the exact dates), MMR, Varicella and Hep B

Urine test: Gonorrhea and Syphylis (RPR)

Tb Test and Xray if you had the BCG vaccine as a kid because it will give a false positive result.

 

Edited April 12, 2018 by Nouchigang

[yuna628 9,687]

57 minutes ago, Amy_and_Victor said:

Looks like doctor office is seriously trying to rip you off. If you're between ages 18 and 64, all vaccines you need are (unless something changed in the last few years, didn't pay attention since I have done in earlier): Tdap, MMR, Varicella and Flu shot. Nothing else is required. Also, if you've had Varicella (chicken pox) in the past your blood can be tested for antibodies and if result is positive you don't need that shot. I had the Varicella test and it was much cheaper than a vaccination.

 

- Victor from Russia

That is correct. If persons are over the age of 18 and are being told they need shots not on the list for that age group, then they are wasting a lot of money. I mean... sure they can go ahead and inject with things they don't really need if they want to though.

 

Here is a CDC printout for immigrants. https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/pdf/revised-fact-sheet-fed-reg-notice-vaccination-immigration.pdf

You'll note it states AGE APPROPRIATE. Then it moves on to discuss a list of vaccines, some of those vaccinations will not apply to all immigrants due to age. Thus this is why one should refer to the technical instructions for civil surgeons when determining which vaccinations they require for their age group. https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/panel/vaccination-panel-technical-instructions.html#tbl1

 

For other reference, a BCG is not given to individuals in the USA. It can give false positives for some skin TB tests. But there are plenty of ways, and newer tests that shouldn't produce such false positives... the question will be if the civil surgeon can be bothered with that. It should be mentioned to the doctor. Titers are also generally not needed, unless you don't have proof of anything in your life... You will not need the chicken pox vaccine if you have had chicken pox in your life. If the OP has had measles and mumps illness previously, they will still require you to get the shot. It won't hurt you, and likely, will boost protection in the future. MMR is two doses though, and must be spaced out.

 

 

[NikLR 13,230]

10 hours ago, EandH0904 said:

Hepatitis B is a bloodborne pathogen that currently infects adults. It's given to 5th graders in the US because it is mandated by state law (in my state - it's given to newborns!) - if a person hasn't had the Hep B series, it's required to have upon entry.

 

Hepatitis A is a foodborne illness and is not routinely given as a preventative vaccination in the US, but is also required. 

 

On my medical BOTH were marked as not age appropriate.  I even gave them proof of my immunity. 

https://www.drgulzarcheema.com/index-3.html

[CaliRose 19]

4 hours ago, yuna628 said:

That is correct. If persons are over the age of 18 and are being told they need shots not on the list for that age group, then they are wasting a lot of money. I mean... sure they can go ahead and inject with things they don't really need if they want to though.

 

Here is a CDC printout for immigrants. https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/pdf/revised-fact-sheet-fed-reg-notice-vaccination-immigration.pdf

You'll note it states AGE APPROPRIATE. Then it moves on to discuss a list of vaccines, some of those vaccinations will not apply to all immigrants due to age. Thus this is why one should refer to the technical instructions for civil surgeons when determining which vaccinations they require for their age group. https://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeehealth/exams/ti/panel/vaccination-panel-technical-instructions.html#tbl1

 

For other reference, a BCG is not given to individuals in the USA. It can give false positives for some skin TB tests. But there are plenty of ways, and newer tests that shouldn't produce such false positives... the question will be if the civil surgeon can be bothered with that. It should be mentioned to the doctor. Titers are also generally not needed, unless you don't have proof of anything in your life... You will not need the chicken pox vaccine if you have had chicken pox in your life. If the OP has had measles and mumps illness previously, they will still require you to get the shot. It won't hurt you, and likely, will boost protection in the future. MMR is two doses though, and must be spaced out.

 

 

OMG guys is really confusing everyone have a different experience and i am so confused what should I do for vaccination.

I had my all the vaccine when I was a child and my Q is if I do blood test to my own family dr base of his note, will the Immigrant Dr accept my record?

[NikLR 13,230]

If it's a titre test then yes. That has to be done by a lab. 

Edited April 12, 2018 by NikLR

[AshMarty 360]

16 hours ago, strangefella said:

I had the BCG shot as a kid. 

 

So if I had BCG then do I need this MMR vaccine ? I had a skin test when I first came to US. I did not have a false positive, although I know that some people did. 

A chest X-ray versus a TB test will be up to the discretion of the medical doctor (chest x-ray is the gold standard to rule out tuberculosis).

 

My husband was not given an option and was just ordered a Chest X-ray when he was in his home country of Australia getting his exam. At the very least you will need to get another TB test to prove you have not  recently been in contact with any persons who may have had tuberculosis and you are not a carrier of the disease yourself (I work in health care and have to get them yearly to ensure I have no come into contact with people that may have had tuberculosis).  

 

MMR vaccine is a completely different vaccine for different diseases, and it is not related to tuberculosis which is what the BCG vaccine is for. 

[Mrsjackson 300]

17 hours ago, Californiansunset said:

It's a new requirement as of October 2016 for immigration. I was lucky that I did my medical in September 2016 so the doctor said that USCIS will accept my application without it and thus my medical was cheaper. If I had went just a few weeks later I would have had to get the gonorrhea test. It's a thing now. 

Wow. Well they can test me for whatever they want as long as I don’t have to participate in that weird genitalia check. Seriously, I’ve had a baby I am clearly a female and I will take every STI test there is. I think if the dr. wants to perform this check I will ask for all other alternatives, even at an additional cost. 

[Californiansunset 336]

8 minutes ago, Mrsjackson said:

Wow. Well they can test me for whatever they want as long as I don’t have to participate in that weird genitalia check. Seriously, I’ve had a baby I am clearly a female and I will take every STI test there is. I think if the dr. wants to perform this check I will ask for all other alternatives, even at an additional cost. 

Ask for sure because how come that for men the urine is good enough to run the test but women need to get a genitalia swab done to test for it?!

Edited April 12, 2018 by Californiansunset

[Orangesapples 1,954]

59 minutes ago, Californiansunset said:

Ask for sure because how come that for men the urine is good enough to run the test but women need to get a genitalia swab done to test for it?!

You get the genital swab yourself, they give you a Q tip and then you give it back to them. At least that was my experience