WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED VACCINATIONS FOR K1 VISA? SHOULD I GET THEM AHEAD OF TIME?

[DaisyJane 3]

Hello,

We recently received our NOA2 for our K1 visa application and are now preparing for the medical exam and interview. As the beneficiary, I'm considering getting the required vaccines in advance, but I'm unsure which ones are necessary.

 

I've read various accounts online about the medical exam experiences, with some individuals receiving multiple shots while others only received a couple. I'm hesitant to undergo multiple vaccinations so close to my interview date, as I'm concerned about potential side effects that could affect my health during the interview.

 

Could anyone provide advice or share their experiences regarding which vaccines are necessary for the K1 visa medical exam? I found a list on the CDC website (see attached picture), but I want to ensure it's accurate before proceeding.

 

Thank you for your assistance.

 

 

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

[J.M. 230]

For Manila, it's really not that big of a deal.  The list looks long, but some of them are combined.  Tdap includes tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.  MMR is measles, mumps, and rubella.  Other than those 2, you will also get Hep B and varicella, unless you have documented history of chicken pox.  4 shots total.  Flu is also possible, but not usually available there.  Your 2nd day at medical is reserved for nothing but vaccines.  This is based on actual experience a few months ago.

[ToNhi 20]

Is the Polio vaccine still a thing for those who were never vaccinated against it (younger generations)? I would hate for my Fiancee to receive 7-8+ vaccines in a span of two days. Not sure of adverse effects. 

[widude 38]

 I researched a little, consensus seemed to be, if needed you can get them with your medical check. I would lean to wait.

[MarJhi 958]

I would suggest the best thing you can do for now is to gather ANY medical/vaccination records as you can if that information is available to you. I know some areas of the Philippines that medical recordkeeping is not the best, but maybe you will get lucky. The remote area my wife grew up in had no records available. My wife had to get a couple of vaccinations on her medical at St. Lukes that she had no evidence of, however she had the vaccine scar on her arm from childhood vaccinations and they let her slide on those. She had paperwork for her 2 doses of the covid vaccine (Sinovac) so that was a non-issue. 

 

 

By the way, don't just collect any medical records available, try to gather school/employment records or anything else you can think of while still in the Philippines. You never know what you might need once you are in the US. 

[MarJhi 958]

15 hours ago, J.M. said:

Flu is also possible, but not usually available there. 

Yeah my wife did not have a flu shot in the Philippines and got to the US just fine last summer without it. She got an RFE for her AOS a couple of months ago and it was for her to have a flu shot. Once she got the flu shot her AOS was approved and she received her green card a month or so later.

[top_secret 2,399]

Many of the vaccines are a series of shots.  Even if you get all your vaccines done in advance you may find that you still get multiple shots the day of your physical because for any vaccines that are due for boosters you still must receive the next dose in the series. For K1 in the Philippines it would be best to complete your COVID vaccines if possible since it might simplify adjustment of status slightly if you have a fully completed medical in the Philippines.  If not possible, then you can get COVID done in the US.  Any other needed vaccines would be given at Saint Luke's during the physical at no extra cost.  

[SneakyPete 75]

Hep B vaccine in particular a series of shots, it is probably good idea to start on that (if needed) before the Medical so entire series is complete. Make sure during medical DS-3025 form is marked as voluntarily complete for K-1 so ideally you do not have to deal with I-693 and civil surgeons in USA.

 

Good luck! 

[J.M. 230]

For all vaccines that are a series, only the first of the series is required.  Completing the series is optional and does not need to be completed by a civil surgeon.  Covid is an exception.  You must complete the entire Covid series.  Technically, K-1 can delay getting vaccines until after arrival in the US, but then you would need to see a civil surgeon after arrival, sometimes at significant expense.

 

From USCIS website:

Q. Certain vaccine series can only be completed with multiple visits to the civil surgeon. Am I required to complete the entire series before the civil surgeon can sign the Form I-693?
A. You are only required to receive a single dose of each vaccine when you visit the civil surgeon. You are encouraged to follow up with your private health care provider to complete the series. Once you have received the single dose appropriate at the time, the civil surgeon can sign and certify the Form I-693. The COVID-19 vaccine is the exception to this requirement. You must complete the COVID-19 vaccine primary series (for example, 1 or 2 doses, depending on which vaccine, in adults; 2 or 3 doses, depending on age and which vaccine, in children) and provide documentation of vaccination to the civil surgeon in person before completion of the medical examination.