Immunization requirements for london K1

[MattyUKtoUS 242]

Hi folks!

 

I am feeling a little confused by the immunization requirements and I wondering if someone could offer some help. I am about to finish my DS160 and just waiting for the Police cert from ARCO. 

 

I have an appointment already with my GP to get the Tetanus booster before my medical and they will print off an new updated list of my immunizations. 

 

From my list, can you see anything else I would need? I am 33 years old - I have no existing medical conditions which require care or medicine.

 

The amount of acronyms drive me nuts. 

 

 

[kiwihurricane15 34]

Hey man, I am a similar age (34) and from NZ so I imagine similar vaccine needs. I just arrived in the US 5 days ago on my K1 so have been through this recently.

 

So my GP had me do a MMR booster(Measles, Mumps and Rubella), Tetanus (which I see you are already getting) and the FLU shot.

I also elected to do Varicella/chickenpox at my medical apt as the blood test for immunity was going to take 7-10 business days and I didn't want to wait that long.

 

Only issue is that you cant have MMR and Varicella together as they are live vaccine so they have to be spaced 4-6 weeks apart- if you had chickenpox as a kid then probably just go for blood test on that one.

 

Other than that it looks like you are good to go brother.

[MattyUKtoUS 242]

5 minutes ago, kiwihurricane15 said:

Hey man, I am a similar age (34) and from NZ so I imagine similar vaccine needs. I just arrived in the US 5 days ago on my K1 so have been through this recently.

 

So my GP had me do a MMR booster(Measles, Mumps and Rubella), Tetanus (which I see you are already getting) and the FLU shot.

I also elected to do Varicella/chickenpox at my medical apt as the blood test for immunity was going to take 7-10 business days and I didn't want to wait that long.

 

Only issue is that you cant have MMR and Varicella together as they are live vaccine so they have to be spaced 4-6 weeks apart- if you had chickenpox as a kid then probably just go for blood test on that one.

 

Other than that it looks like you are good to go brother.

Awesome, Thanks for the info.

 

Going by https://uk.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2016/08/IV018a-IV-medical-letter-Aug-2016.pdf Varicella is not available. Not sure if that means not required or what lol. They won't talk to me until I have an appointment. GP has a 5 week wait time.. Very convenient for them to charge me I guess lol.

 

How did you find entering the US on the K1? I have only ever travelled on ESTA

[kiwihurricane15 34]

Ah I see- well good if you get one less shot in the arm mate. I must admit I got jabbed 4 times in 2 months which is a record for me- HAHA. A 5 week wait time though- #######? 

 

Entering in was pretty straightforward- I am used to ESTA too so I didn't find it terribly difficult. I came in at Houston so it wasn't too crazy- worst part was secondary processing and purely just because it took about an hour of waiting. Apparently its coming into peak work visa season (Pre summer) so the room was full of guys working on boats. The officers were cool though- no issues at all.

[MLR14 37]

Have you ever had chickenpox (varicella is the vaccine for chickenpox!)? They will ask you at the medical if you had, if you had you won't need to get it. They take your word for it so you don't need a blood test for it either.

Edited May 2, 2018 by MLR14

[Wuozopo 4,293]

2 hours ago, MattyUKtoUS said:

I have an appointment already with my GP to get the Tetanus booster before my medical and they will print off an new updated list of my immunizations. 

 

From my list, can you see anything else I would need? I am 33 years old - I have no existing medical conditions which require care or medicine.

 

The requirements for your AOS are

• Tdap (one within last 10 years) Get Tetanus/diphtheria combo Td- What you had 25May2000

• MMR (two doses) You don't actually show a second mumps. Measles and Rubella are covered. That one may slide by.

• Varicella Waived when you tell them you had chickenpox

• Flu Waived for not being flu season.

Edited May 2, 2018 by Wuozopo

[JFH 12,191]

*~*~*country-specific question moved to United Kingdom regional forum*~*~*

[JoannaV 174]

My expectation would be that they will want the second MMR. Maybe you'll be lucky, but be prepared not to be. (Despite the reason for the second dose being primarily to give people who didn't develop measles immunity after the first dose a second chance.) I had to receive a second MMR at Knightsbridge because my records only showed one MMR and an MR.

[MattyUKtoUS 242]

Thanks for the advice guys. 

 

I am booked in for the Tdap and MMR on the 15th. By then I will also have my Police cert and can make the interview dates!! Exciting.