I took my medical today BUT no shots

[sarrebal]

I went to a USCIS approved civil surgeon today.
Took blood test, X-Ray and sonogram.

That was it.
I asked whether I needed shots or not. The PA said I was fine.
I insisted because I told her I don't wanna get my applcation delayed (RFE), she said not to worry about it.

Since I have to go back in a week to get the envelope (waiting for blood test results) and I don't have any record of my immunization shots from Italy, should I insist?

I'm 29 and I'm not sure whether I'm exempt or not.
They looked pretty familiar with immigration medical examination (doctor was russian and in brighton beach, biggest russian neighborhood in the US) so I'm confident.

Anyone with same experience? Anyone got a RFE because of no shots?

Thanks

[poohsmum]

why did you have to have a sonogram? What was that for??

[sarrebal]

why did you have to have a sonogram? What was that for??

Maybe to check my organs....
I have no idea.
Well, I have one........russian doctors bill insurances in a funny way...let's say that....

[UnionJax]

You shoudn't have needed an x-ray or sonogram, unless you were confirmed with having tuberculosis. The doctor should take blood, give you an exam for signs of STD's, and give you shots. They give you a PPD and then if that turns out to be postive, you have to go on and have the x-ray.

Thats how I understood the medical to consist of, and I've had two.

[sarrebal]

You shoudn't have needed an x-ray or sonogram, unless you were confirmed with having tuberculosis. The doctor should take blood, give you an exam for signs of STD's, and give you shots. They give you a PPD and then if that turns out to be postive, you have to go on and have the x-ray.

Thats how I understood the medical to consist of, and I've had two.

I chose the x-ray instead of PPD. I didn't want to come back again (long subway trip).

[aniretake]

I asked whether I needed shots or not. The PA said I was fine.I insisted because I told her I don't wanna get my applcation delayed (RFE), she said not to worry about it.

That's weird. When i went for my medical, first thing they asked were my immunization records, because they have to fill out Supplement A to the Medical Form. My mother had same experience though in different state.

[sarrebal]

Ok, you got me worried.

I read again the I-693 instructions:

"If you have any records of immunizations (vaccinations), you should bring them to show to the doctor. This is especially important for pre-school and school-age children. The doctor will tell you if any more immunizations are needed, and where you can get them (usually at your local public health department). It is important for your health that you follow the doctor's advice and go to get any immunizations."


Also, I'm reading the I-693 form. Yes, there is a box to be checked "Applicant is current for recommended AGE-SPECIFIC immunizations"

I believe I'm too old for this and that they really check this for kids that go to school....

[cherr1980]

I don't see anything weird except for the sonogram.

Probably the doctor and I don't know why he couldn't explain that to you, with blood tests they can check out if you are already immune to the shots that are require for your age, and that happen sometimes especially when you do not have your records with you. If they found that you are immune no shots are needed, if they found that you are not immune to one of those then you will get that shot and that's it.

For tuberculosis is only two ways: x-ray or the skin test. Actually there is a new way through a special blood test, Quaciferon I think is called. Sometimes it depends from your country of origin and they prefer to give you a skin test or PDD, but sometimes a doctor can decide to do a x-ray first instead of the PDD. The person that has been expose to tuberculosis at the x-ray your lungs and limphatic nodes will show a change. Either way is accepted. The doctor will tell you the type of test that he/she performs.

Not everybody needs to get a shot everytime that you have your medical examination. Just be SURE the doctor give you a copy so you can check if it fill out the list of vaccinations correctly.

Good luck,

[sarrebal]

You can actually choose if you want to get PDD or x-ray.
I went for x-ray right away also because I took the skin-test several years ago in Italy and I was found positive but then the x-ray said I was fine, of course.


Regarding the shots, from what I read in the instructions, it is completely at the doctor's discretion.

If he recommends them, you have to take them, otherwise you're fine as the USCIS can't tell the doctor what to do.

[payala]

I think that is kinda weird, the first think I was asked for was for my immunization records. Then he gave me the shots that I was missing and the ones that I needed an updated one. Did he give you a copy of the form? There is a place to write the shots that you received and the dates. What dates would he put in if you had no record or received any shots?

[sarrebal]

Well, I will get my copy back next week (they have to get the blood test results from the lab) and I will let you know.

There's no place on the I-693 form to write immunization dates. There's just a box to check if the immunization are up to date (and I believe he will check that one, otherwise I won't be leaving his office).

[payala]

Oh as I remember in that box instead of putting a check, the doctor wrote the date.

[candyattitude]

i just went for my medical last week. i gave them my school record and took just one vaccination that they felt i had to get updated on and a X-ray. and they insisted that i get up to date. i don't really think it has anything to do with age. i think civil surgeon centers in general make you take all the shots if you didn't go with your school records. the school record just helps the doc figure out if you need any shots.
so when you get your unsealed copy next week, open it right there and read it carefully. make sure it indicates that everything's good to go.
also, the sonogram is kinda shady. there's absolutely no reason for one, at least one that i can think of.

[cherr1980]

Vaccination are link with age, remember not all immigrants are in your age range, please see the link below. Civil surgeons should analize the entire spectrum and not give a shot because they think actually can be inadecuate. Not all people will have a school record in their hands (and may countries does not have that they have a vaccination record), many people have a vaccination record but sometimes in their own country not here in the US or you just cannot get it or just lost it. But not because of that they will give you all the vaccines. That is why normally they take a blood test others check other causes and just give the normal shots at your age. Actually when they look at the age there are certain vaccines that you should had in you but if you don't have it then they won't give it to you since is too late and won't take any effect.

For more information on the medical examination you can refer to the cdc website since from them the civil surgeons must follow the instructions:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/civil.htm

[cherr1980]

At the form I-693 in the USCIS website is not the complete papers. The Civil Surgeon will have other papers that are from the cdc.

Just check out the copies that s/he will give to you.

[Suzy977]

[QUOTE=cherr1980]Actually when they look at the age there are certain vaccines that you should had in you but if you don't have it then they won't give it to you since is too late and won't take any effect.
QUOTE]

I believe that was your case, right