Vaccinations there or here ?

[Ta Ta 1]

My fiance needs vaccinations. What are the pros and cons about where to

get them ? I know they are only needed for AOS but what is the point of

getting them while at the medical before the interview ?

Can he get them from any doctor in his town and then bring the vaccination record to the

medical exam ?

If yes will they transfer this onto the DS 3025 and/or I-693 ?

I don't know what would be better. Getting them here or there. I have no idea of the

cost difference and I would hate for him to fly with a sore arm but want to get it over with.

Any suggestions ?

Would anyone have done it differently than they did ?

[a&o 4]

Technically the vaccinations aren't supposed to be needed until the Adjustment of Status in the U.S. But here in Ghana, I guess the consulate has the power to override that and requires K-1ers to get their vaccinations before the visa is issued. At first I was angry that they are doing it differently in Ghana than everywhere else, but then I looked into costs of vaccinations. It's definitely a lot cheaper to do the vaccinations here than in the U.S. It is about $120 to do the shots here, versus $500 or more in the U.S.

He did have to get the vaccinations from specific doctors, though. The consulate sent a list in packet 4.

[Ta Ta 1]

Thank you.

I will try to get a response from the Senegal embassy per email to make sure I guess.

[theresa 0]

I am also planning to get Vaccination in Korea before I move to US. Then, I don't need to go through this in US.

[kitkat1 5]

Technically the vaccinations aren't supposed to be needed until the Adjustment of Status in the U.S. But here in Ghana, I guess the consulate has the power to override that and requires K-1ers to get their vaccinations before the visa is issued. At first I was angry that they are doing it differently in Ghana than everywhere else, but then I looked into costs of vaccinations. It's definitely a lot cheaper to do the vaccinations here than in the U.S. It is about $120 to do the shots here, versus $500 or more in the U.S.

He did have to get the vaccinations from specific doctors, though. The consulate sent a list in packet 4.

Seems strange since USCIS clearly indicates that by law, vaccinations are not required for K1 visas.

In any event, there are plenty of civil surgeons in the US - there's no reason you would need to pay $500 but it does make sense to compare the cost at the medical vs. where you will live in the US.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

Seems strange since USCIS clearly indicates that by law, vaccinations are not required for K1 visas.

In any event, there are plenty of civil surgeons in the US - there's no reason you would need to pay $500 but it does make sense to compare the cost at the medical vs. where you will live in the US.

I somewhat beg to differ because even though vaccinations are not required for K1 visas, they are required for the AOS. Although I am sure that you may find a civil surgeon in the US who will charge less than $500, I'm betting that you could get in done for cheaper in your native country. If have time, call around and do some research before making a decision. Cheers!!! - Sheriff Uling

[Ta Ta 1]

Can my fiance get the shots from his own doctor now and then take the

vaccination record to the medical interview/examination ? Then they would transfer

the info to the DS3025? I am still confused. It would be easier and cheaper for him to

get it accomplished before his flight to the embassy in Senegal.

[Marilyn. 340]

I am pretty sure he can get the vaccanations done by his own doctor ....

only the actual medical has to be done by specific doctors...

[Rob and Melinda 0]

I was with melinda at the Medical at St. Lukes last week, we elected to have her get the vaccinations after she comes to the US. This way we can make sure that our own doctor gives us advice on the shots and whether or not they should all be taken at the same time or spaced out over some months to minmize shock to the immune system.

Rob and Melinda

[kitkat1 5]

Seems strange since USCIS clearly indicates that by law, vaccinations are not required for K1 visas.

In any event, there are plenty of civil surgeons in the US - there's no reason you would need to pay $500 but it does make sense to compare the cost at the medical vs. where you will live in the US.

I somewhat beg to differ because even though vaccinations are not required for K1 visas, they are required for the AOS. Although I am sure that you may find a civil surgeon in the US who will charge less than $500, I'm betting that you could get in done for cheaper in your native country. If have time, call around and do some research before making a decision. Cheers!!! - Sheriff Uling

Right - the fact that vaccinations are required for AOS in the US has already been made clear in this thread. The fact that the Ghana consulate believes they have the authority to override US law is what I was questioning. Costs of vaccinations differ greatly, obviously. In Mexico, for example, it does not matter if you have vaccinations done by a local doctor and show the list at the medical exam. They will still require duplicate vaccinations (read = money directly in their pocket) and they are very expensive. After making phone calls to local civil surgeons, I found one in my city in the US who will do everything for my fiance for less than $200 - significantly less than the medical clinic in Mexico. Hence my advice to compare the cost at the medical vs. where you will live in the US.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

Seems strange since USCIS clearly indicates that by law, vaccinations are not required for K1 visas.

In any event, there are plenty of civil surgeons in the US - there's no reason you would need to pay $500 but it does make sense to compare the cost at the medical vs. where you will live in the US.

I somewhat beg to differ because even though vaccinations are not required for K1 visas, they are required for the AOS. Although I am sure that you may find a civil surgeon in the US who will charge less than $500, I'm betting that you could get in done for cheaper in your native country. If have time, call around and do some research before making a decision. Cheers!!! - Sheriff Uling

Right - the fact that vaccinations are required for AOS in the US has already been made clear in this thread. The fact that the Ghana consulate believes they have the authority to override US law is what I was questioning. Costs of vaccinations differ greatly, obviously. In Mexico, for example, it does not matter if you have vaccinations done by a local doctor and show the list at the medical exam. They will still require duplicate vaccinations (read = money directly in their pocket) and they are very expensive. After making phone calls to local civil surgeons, I found one in my city in the US who will do everything for my fiance for less than $200 - significantly less than the medical clinic in Mexico. Hence my advice to compare the cost at the medical vs. where you will live in the US.

Very cool... Thanks!!!

[E&K 0]

Right - the fact that vaccinations are required for AOS in the US has already been made clear in this thread. The fact that the Ghana consulate believes they have the authority to override US law is what I was questioning. Costs of vaccinations differ greatly, obviously. In Mexico, for example, it does not matter if you have vaccinations done by a local doctor and show the list at the medical exam. They will still require duplicate vaccinations (read = money directly in their pocket) and they are very expensive. After making phone calls to local civil surgeons, I found one in my city in the US who will do everything for my fiance for less than $200 - significantly less than the medical clinic in Mexico. Hence my advice to compare the cost at the medical vs. where you will live in the US.

Hi KK,

Does that mean that we don't necessarily need to have the medical done at any of the 2 clinics in CDJ? From reading the forms in the Fiance Packet on CDJ website I thought we only had those 2 choices for K1 at Juarez. Also, does that mean that getting the vaccinations done in Mexico-and getting the required certs with them- would not be considered acceptable for AOS paperwork? I was thinking of doing that to save some money, but I wouldn't do it if I had to re-take them later anyway.

[kitkat1 5]

Hi KK,

Does that mean that we don't necessarily need to have the medical done at any of the 2 clinics in CDJ? From reading the forms in the Fiance Packet on CDJ website I thought we only had those 2 choices for K1 at Juarez. Also, does that mean that getting the vaccinations done in Mexico-and getting the required certs with them- would not be considered acceptable for AOS paperwork? I was thinking of doing that to save some money, but I wouldn't do it if I had to re-take them later anyway.

E - you do need the medical exam at one of the two clinics in CDJ. But the law does not require K1 visa applicants to have vaccinations done before receiving the visa - they are only required for K1s at the time of AOS in the US. Getting them done at the medical and the required cert will be acceptable for AOS.

The problem is that the clinics in CDJ appear to be in it for the money. From what I've read here on VJ and other boards, you can go to the clinics with your official vaccination record, indicating, for example, that you are completely up to date with everything, and they will STILL require you to get additional vaccinations (money in their pocket). You also have the choice to skip it altogether in CDJ and go to a civil surgeon in the Detroit area before AOS. My guess would be you could call around and find someone with lower fees there than in CDJ. Hope that helps!

[E&K 0]

Thanks KK, I read that about the clinics at CDJ too. What I was hoping I could do is have them done at my local "centro de salud"- where some of them are even free of charge- and take the certs later to the Detroit Civil Surgeon that will fill the forms required for my AOS.

I guess I'll make some phone calls and see if this would work too

thanks for your help again!

[kitkat1 5]

Thanks KK, I read that about the clinics at CDJ too. What I was hoping I could do is have them done at my local "centro de salud"- where some of them are even free of charge- and take the certs later to the Detroit Civil Surgeon that will fill the forms required for my AOS.

I guess I'll make some phone calls and see if this would work too

thanks for your help again!

Hmm - can't hurt to try, right? Maybe K can make a few calls (or you can on your next visit) and see if they would agree to this. Sure would save some money. Keep us posted on what you find out please!