Booster Shot Issue at Border?

[northusa44 4]

At their pre-consulate green card interview health check, my in-laws were required to have a number of vaccinations. They did all of these. For chickenpox, the doctor gave them a shot and then checked a box on the vaccination sheet to say that a booster was due 1 month later. But there is a note at the top of the sheet saying that if the applicants are unable to travel back to this US gov-approved doctor due to cost, distance, etc. they can wait until they get to the US to get the booster. 

 

It is looking as if they will not be able to come to the US until the spring, about 4-5 months after the health check. They also live a 3-hour airplane flight away from the city (Guangzhou) in their country where their health check was conducted. Does anyone know if their vaccination record will be checked at the border when they fly to the US and if the lack of the booster shot will be an issue? Per the note on the sheet, it should not be given the distance, but I want to make sure that the fact that they are 3-4 months beyond the 1 month booster shot date will not be an issue. Thank you!

Edited January 13 by northusa44

[Ontarkie 14,215]

They do not give shots at the border. They will need to see a health nurse/clinic or a GP. 

 

If the medical is marked as incomplete they may not get their visas issued. If it is marked as complete (most vaccines only need to have the series started) it will not hold anything up. 

 

Since they got the chickenpox vaccine please do make sure they get the booster. Shingles is now a risk for them. Can't get singles if they never had chickenpox or the vaccine. A booster for chickenpox will be needed to get full protection, but sadly in the future they will want to get the shingles vaccine too. 

[northusa44 4]

On 1/13/2024 at 5:24 PM, Ontarkie said:

They do not give shots at the border. They will need to see a health nurse/clinic or a GP. 

 

If the medical is marked as incomplete they may not get their visas issued. If it is marked as complete (most vaccines only need to have the series started) it will not hold anything up. 

 

Since they got the chickenpox vaccine please do make sure they get the booster. Shingles is now a risk for them. Can't get singles if they never had chickenpox or the vaccine. A booster for chickenpox will be needed to get full protection, but sadly in the future they will want to get the shingles vaccine too. 

Thanks! So we already know that this does not hold the visa up as one of my in-laws was granted a visa shortly after the medical. I suppose my question is whether border control checks vaccination status and whether they are likely to give them any trouble if the booster shot has not been given? Again, the paper they have both indicates that a booster shot is due one month after the first shot AND states that if distance is an issue (which it is since they are a 3 hour flight away from the US-approved doctor) they can get the booster in the US.

 

 

[Ontarkie 14,215]

2 hours ago, northusa44 said:

Thanks! So we already know that this does not hold the visa up as one of my in-laws was granted a visa shortly after the medical. I suppose my question is whether border control checks vaccination status and whether they are likely to give them any trouble if the booster shot has not been given? Again, the paper they have both indicates that a booster shot is due one month after the first shot AND states that if distance is an issue (which it is since they are a 3 hour flight away from the US-approved doctor) they can get the booster in the US.

 

 

They won't have any trouble at the border. If anything you might get a call from the health unit in your  area, but as this is not related to TB you probably won't hear from them. 

Edited January 15 by Ontarkie

[northusa44 4]

22 minutes ago, Ontarkie said:

They won't have any trouble at the border. If anything you might get a call from the health unit in your  area, but as this is not related to TB you probably won't here from them. 

Thanks once again! 

[top_secret 2,402]

The panel physician would generally issue a waiver for the boosters that are not due yet.  The waiver would be annotated right on the visa as "212(g)(2)(B)".  That annotation formally notifies CBP at the border that the boosters were waived by the panel physician and therefore unnecessary.