Vaccination requirements for I-693

I

imigre

Registered Users (C)
Has anyone had difficulty meeting vaccination requirements for I-693? I would like to have some advice about tetanus shots, in particular.

I had my tetanus shot last week, but my doctor (USCIS Civil Surgeon) told me today that I would still need to take two more tetanus shots and that I had to wait 4 weeks to get the first shot and 6 months to get the second one. In other words, I will not be able to file my I-485 until September.

The doctor told me that one tetanus shot had been OK until a couple of days ago when he received a letter from USCIS Field Office Director (Rhode Island) saying that many of the I-693 forms he had filled out were not appropriately completed and thus requiring that he follow proper procedures in completing the forms. The letter says:

" ... Indicating on the immunization sheet that there is insufficient time to obtain the required booster and requesting a waiver of the immunization simply because the applicant doesn't want to wait to be given the boosters needed for certain vaccines is inappropriate. ...."

I have been hoping to have my I-485 filed before the end of this month especially because the fee is likely to increase from $325 to $905 very soon. The doctor suggested that I also contact the Field Office Director and ask for a waiver. But, I am not sure if that would do any good. I am wondering if I should find a doctor from another state (MA) who has not received a letter as mentioned above and ask him/her to fill out my I-693.

I would appreciate your advice or suggestions.
 
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Have you had complete vaccination as a child? If not maybe that is why your doc wants to give you the series. On the other hand it might be that he is not documenting your childhood shots properly on the form. Finding another doctor is not a bad advice.

In light of the fee increase you might want to file even if without the medicals and you will get an RFE or even before that you can send the medical in with the receipt number. For now get whatever report you can from this doctor just to send in.
 
Dear I617 & sa7997:

Thank you for your suggestion! In fact, I found another doctor (civil surgeon) who believed that one tetanus shot was sufficient, and did get my I-693 yesterday.

I hope this is not the case, but some civil surgeons may now be receiving letters similar to the one that my first civil surgeon received recently from the USCIS (See my previous posting) and may start to tell applicants to get 3 tetanus shots.

The table of vaccine schedule in the USCIS's instruction to civil surgeon (which my first doctor showed me) does state that applicants need to get 3 tetanus shots, even though apparently the USCIS has been OK with one tetanus shot with "insufficient time interval" checked on the form. (I searched online the table of vaccine schedule mentioned above, but have not been able to find it.)

I think I will get my second and third tetanus shots just in case my I-693 gets rejected (particularly since my first civil surgeon said that many of the forms he had filled out recently were rejected.)

I hope this vaccination (tetanus) requirement will not become a big problem causing trouble to those who filed I-485 recently and those who are going to file I-485 soon.
 
You should be just fine, don't worry. Your vaccinations should be current at the time of the appointment, not for the next 6 months. I believe your first doctor was just trying to get more money out of you. It's quite ridiculous really, immigrants already have too many delays to contend with!
 
Vaccination

Hey guys,

How did you document your childhood immunizations? I am from India and eventhough I know we took all of these shots before, how do we document it?

There is no record obviously of those shots, in that instance should we just retake them now? All 4 of them? (DTP, OPV, MMR, Td)

I am confused right now as my PCP is telling me that I should not be taking them again and the civil surgeon's office is telling me that because I don't have documentation - I need to take all 4 shots again, which are Teatnus, Diptherea, MMR and Chickenpox.

Can anyone confirm this?
 
clzeus10 said:
Hey guys,

How did you document your childhood immunizations? I am from India and eventhough I know we took all of these shots before, how do we document it?

There is no record obviously of those shots, in that instance should we just retake them now? All 4 of them? (DTP, OPV, MMR, Td)

I am confused right now as my PCP is telling me that I should not be taking them again and the civil surgeon's office is telling me that because I don't have documentation - I need to take all 4 shots again, which are Teatnus, Diptherea, MMR and Chickenpox.

Can anyone confirm this?
Click to expand...

As an adult you need to have following shot since last five years
1. Tetanus
2. Chicken pox
3. MMR (Measels, Mumps and German Measels).

You will also need to have TB test or Xray chest within last 6 months.

Another option-
Ask anyone in India if a doctor can give you in writing that you received these shots within last 5 years.
I did that.
 
I612 said:
Have you had complete vaccination as a child? If not maybe that is why your doc wants to give you the series. On the other hand it might be that he is not documenting your childhood shots properly on the form. Finding another doctor is not a bad advice.

In light of the fee increase you might want to file even if without the medicals and you will get an RFE or even before that you can send the medical in with the receipt number. For now get whatever report you can from this doctor just to send in.
Click to expand...

I agree with this except Don't send anything till they issue a RFE
They will never be able to attach your medical to your petition till they ask for it. You will just waste money to get them done again.
 
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