Titer Titre

[David and Karen 0]

Ok some say Titer and some say Titre. Whatever! Anyways, I thought I would post my latest find on this issue. I live in Southern Ontario. I have been told that it will take about two weeks to get the results from a titer/titre test.

Thought anyone who may be in the same situation may like to know. In my case I won't have the results back in time for my medical. Grrrr!!!

Only in Ontario!

[Buttons 0]

how will you pass the medical then and go to the interview ????

[mozplay 29]

how will you pass the medical then and go to the interview ????

Can you get it done now then? At a local clinic? It is my understanding that this does not have to be done at the medical. You can take your results with you.

Mo

[iceyspots 0]

That's funny, when I took a titre for a medical exam, the results were back in two days. Hope it gets finished soon!

[David and Karen 0]

Hmmm two days? Where was that? When I talked to Dr Seidens office today in Toronto they told me two weeks to get the results. They suggested that I may have my Dr put "Stat" on the tests and maybe, big maybe have them back in a week.

Montreal and Dr Seiden share the same opinion if I don't have the titres back in time....go to the interview without the medical and then have the medical completed once I have the lab results and send the medical info into Montreal for the visa to be issued.

It is a possibility.

I have inquired about getting them drawn locally here in Missouri. The problem is that I need a Dr's order to get it done. Daves Dr can't see me until ummm Sept 25!! So that leaves going to a clinic.

In the meantime I emailed the Department of Health for the state of Missouri. They kindly replied suggesting that since I need a tetanus every ten years anyways and I had one six years ago that I go ahead and just get another (that was also Dr Seidens advice given that I can't provide written proof of the last three tetanus shots.) The Department of Health also said that given my age (34) that people my age weren't given the "2nd MMR" so they suggested I get another MMR. Anyone else have to get shots that they were surprised they needed? That leaves the question of Diptheria which I emailed the Department of Health back asking about. All of this can apparently be done locally without a Dr's order and I will have written confirmation of it all to bring to the medical!

Phew!

I'll post back with the response from the Department of Health when I get it.

Edited August 31, 2006 by David and Karen

[mozplay 29]

My own doctor suggested just getting all the shots again too as like you, I was not given the two-round MMR, and nothing wrong with getting another TDP shot.

I'm glad things seem to be working out for you.

Mo

[Marilyn. 340]

can't you get the tests done from your own doctor? That is what I did and it took about a week to get the results back....

oops, just read your later response.. just ignore this

Edited August 31, 2006 by MarilynP

[Leafgal 3]

I called the panel doctor in London and they said they will give me my boosters free. I told them I don't have a doctor could they recommend what I can do to get them and she said don't worry about it we will do them and I said how much does it cost and she said nothing. So I am going to do that.

[incogkneeto 0]

What is a titre/titer test? More importantly, what is the process for the medical? I really have no idea where to start and I keep finding new threads and new things involved. I live in Calgary Alberta. What was the medical process you all had to take? Will they make my appointment and choose my doctor or is it up to me? Can I get anything started now, before my NOA2? And then what can/should I do first?

Thanks!!

[Marilyn. 340]

a titre test is a blood test you can do to see if you had the Rubella (german measles) shot and if you have an immunity to chicken pox... some people do this if they don't have actual proof of either of these

[Reba 2]

having titres done rather than get vaccinations that you don't need is a much healthier choice. The doctor will draw some blood and test for antibodies that will show immunity. Any "good" doctor should suggest this rather than give unneeded vaccinations.

I had mine done and results back in a week. Even a walk-in clinic in Ontario should be able to manage that turnaround. And it should be free. I got the tetanus shot and that was it, as it was time. Also free. The T&D is a combination vaccine for tetanus and diptheria in Ontario, I don't know about in the States tho. Dr. Seiden's office will charge you extra for titres and shots. Why pay for it if you don't have to?

[David and Karen 0]

having titres done rather than get vaccinations that you don't need is a much healthier choice. The doctor will draw some blood and test for antibodies that will show immunity. Any "good" doctor should suggest this rather than give unneeded vaccinations.

I had mine done and results back in a week. Even a walk-in clinic in Ontario should be able to manage that turnaround. And it should be free. I got the tetanus shot and that was it, as it was time. Also free. The T&D is a combination vaccine for tetanus and diptheria in Ontario, I don't know about in the States tho. Dr. Seiden's office will charge you extra for titres and shots. Why pay for it if you don't have to?

Can you share where you went in Ontario that you had your results back in a week? I was told in Ontario that to have the titers/titres drawn I needed a doctors order and it would take two weeks. That is for a city with a population of 82,000. I don't know what other option I have to speed things up. I myself have exhausted all avenues to track down my records. Given my age nobody has them anymore. This was before the current data being kept on computer. I was told by Montreal that my interview would be 3-4 months and two weeks later I had an interview date. Go figure!

I will likley need to get the shots again or put off and according to Montreal again wait another three months to have my interview rescheduled.

Advice?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Actually, you don't need to have the shots completed by the medical. What will happen is that the medical will state that the shots are incomplete. For the K-1, that is sufficient to cross the border. When you marry and file for AOS you need to prove that your vaccinations are up to date. So, if titres prove that you lack immunity to certain illnesses, you can get the vaccinations for those shots from your family doctor, have them provide you with written proof of the vaccinations and the dates, and then bring that with you. In the States you need to arrange to have your vaccination history transferred to a form that is only available from an American Civil Surgeon (not available outside of the US). So, you bring your proof of vaccination provided by your doctor along with the copy of the vaccination record you SHOULD receive with your sealed medical, and the doctor transfers all of the information to the vaccination supplement sheet. My family doctor updated my vaccination records and checked them over before I went for my medical and since I needed a new Tetenus shot gave that to me at no cost. So consider this as another option - you don't need the vaccinations completed by the time of your K-1 medical, they just need to be completed by the time of the AOS application. Hope this helps. Do arrange to get any missing vaccinations from your family doctor in Canada - there shouldn't be a charge that way, and they are very expensive in the US.

Edited September 2, 2006 by Kathryn41

[Kathryn41 3,205]

What is a titre/titer test? More importantly, what is the process for the medical? I really have no idea where to start and I keep finding new threads and new things involved. I live in Calgary Alberta. What was the medical process you all had to take? Will they make my appointment and choose my doctor or is it up to me? Can I get anything started now, before my NOA2? And then what can/should I do first?

Thanks!!

After your fiance's petition (I-129f) is approved (NOA2), the petition and information he filed is forwarded to one of two Canadian Consulates - Montreal and Vancouver. Yours will go to Vancouver. The Consulate sends out a package of information to you that includes different forms that you need to complete (biographical forms, application for K-1 non-immigrant visa, etc.). It also includes a list of documents that you need to bring with you to an interview. Included on this list is a security report from any country in which you have lived more than 6 months since turning 18, and a basic complete medical conducted by a 'panel physician'. You can request the security report via 'name only' with the RCMP if you have no criminal record. There is a letter in the package, though, that you can present to the RCMP/police that says what you need. The medical examination is to make sure you are basically healthy and don't pose a risk to US health through diseases such as tuberculosis, AIDS, and a number of VDs. It includes bloodwork and chest X-rays. The package will provide you with the names of 'panel physicians' who are doctors licensed by US immigration to conduct medicals for immigration purposes. You make your own appointment and you have to pay for this medical since it isn't covered by Provincial healthplans. Costs do vary but expect somewhere around $200. You receive the results of the medical in a sealed envelope (usually 1 to 2 weeks later). When you have everything on the list, you notify the Consulate who sent you the package that you have all of the items (you mail back a checklist) and they will then schedule you for an interview. You bring your medical, the security reports and all of the forms and the various attachments they require with you to the interview. They usually tell you right then that you are approved and when you can pick up your visa. What you can do now is to make sure you have a Canadian passport that is up to date and a copy of your 'long form' birth certificate (this lists your parents names as well). Your fiance also has to provide an affidavit of support that includes bank statements, an employer's letter and income tax returns. He can be getting those while you wait. You should read over the Guides and FAQs in the K-1 section - you will find them very useful. Good luck.

[David and Karen 0]

Actually, you don't need to have the shots completed by the medical. What will happen is that the medical will state that the shots are incomplete. For the K-1, that is sufficient to cross the border. When you marry and file for AOS you need to prove that your vaccinations are up to date. So, if titres prove that you lack immunity to certain illnesses, you can get the vaccinations for those shots from your family doctor, have them provide you with written proof of the vaccinations and the dates, and then bring that with you. In the States you need to arrange to have your vaccination history transferred to a form that is only available from an American Civil Surgeon (not available outside of the US). So, you bring your proof of vaccination provided by your doctor along with the copy of the vaccination record you SHOULD receive with your sealed medical, and the doctor transfers all of the information to the vaccination supplement sheet. My family doctor updated my vaccination records and checked them over before I went for my medical and since I needed a new Tetenus shot gave that to me at no cost. So consider this as another option - you don't need the vaccinations completed by the time of your K-1 medical, they just need to be completed by the time of the AOS application. Hope this helps. Do arrange to get any missing vaccinations from your family doctor in Canada - there shouldn't be a charge that way, and they are very expensive in the US.

I talked to Dr Seidens office a few times last week. They told me there that I can interview without the medical and send the information regarding the medical later if I wish. They (Dr Seidens office) say that they "cannot complete the medical without proof of vaccination..."

So, I can interview but again I sit in limbo. Looks like the option of having them by the AOS etc isn't an option. Or at least I'm not getting it as an option.