guitarmaan

Following advice found on this forum, I prudently had my Tdap and MMR jab done yesterday by the NHS instead of in London. The charge? Zero pounds! (shame about the side effects though)

However I was informed the MMR comes in two stages, and I have to wait 3 months for the second jab. Hmm. So what should my next step be, just go ahead and get the official medical? Would I actually have to wait 3 months before I could either leave the UK or could it be completed in the USA? I had just assumed everything could be done in one visit in London..... silly me.

thanks

Peaksy

What are the side effects of the MMR jab?

I'm having mine done on the NHS next week.

Peaksy

guitarmaan

The side effects won't hit everyone. For me it feels like someone punched me in the arm very hard, and I have a flu-like spaced out feeling with temperature.
I assume it's the MMR behind it all because the nurse warned me to expect a sore arm, but the Tdap could be responsible for the mild flu. Who knows

The actual jabs were no problem at all though.

rpjs

I had exactly the same experience with my GP so I elected to cough up an additional 25 sovs to have it done as a single jab by Knightsbridge at my medical. The vaccinations nurse at Knightsbridge said she'd never heard of doing MMR in two stages before.

guitarmaan

The plot thickens. The nurse also mentioned a blood test after the 2nd jab to confirm immunity. It's a bit puzzling.

rpjs

I didn't have any side-effects from having Tdap before my medical last year, but I did feel feverish for a day after having a tetanus booster about fifteen years ago, when I was around 30. Maybe the side-effects lessen as you get older.

paulpur

i had a MMR jab done at my GP's office after my medical in November 2009 and it was a 1shot thing , maybe they have changed their practices?

guitarmaan

I don't know, maybe. I'm seeing my doctor next week so I'll ask him then.

But in the meantime it's leaves a quandary

Moxie

No time for detailed reply with links, but---

Assuming you want your jabs complete so you don't have to see a civil surgeon in the US (K1) or either you are a CR1 and have to be complete before visa. Wait time between MMR jabs (US CDC recs) is 4 weeks.

Don't remember where you are in process, but if exam is before that wait time is up, they should mark Form DS3025 "insufficient time interval". If they don't, tell them it's in their technical instructions.

"Insufficient time interval" is one of the 4 acceptable reasons why a blanket waiver can/will be given by the adjudicator to excuse you from the second shot. You never have to get it later unless you just want to.

If 4 weeks have passed before medical, then Knightsbridge may say the second is due. You can go back to NHS to get it and have them fax proof to Knightsbridge. Be sure and tell Knightsbridge to hold your results until you get the shot, so they don't go to embassy prematurely.

CAProgrammer

I've had the exact opposite experience. I had the MMR jab at Knightsbridge and the nurse there told me I would need to have a second jab in 4 - 6 weeks!

I looked it up on the internet and the second jab is required because the first jab doesn't produce immunity in about 2% - 5% of people. I suppose you wouldn't need to have it if you did a blood test and they were able to confirm that the first jab worked; but that's almost more hassle than just getting the second jab.

Also, my GP is going to charge for the MMR and flu jabs. £22 for the MMR and £20 for the flu jab as it is for "travel reasons".

It has been more than 6 weeks since I had the first jab but I haven't been able to have the second jab yet as I got a chest infection and I'm on anti-biotics and they won't give it to you if you are on anti-biotics.

guitarmaan

ok, great info. So probably my simplest option is to schedule the medical for over a month from now, and ask them to give me the second jab. That gives a 4 week interval.
I think I'd rather do that than liaise further between NHS and Knightsbridge, because that's how complications arise.

Maybe the official site could add a warning about this issue, because it's a potential delay/wrangle.

Moxie

Likely she hasn't studied the waiver details or the CDC website.


Immigration gives you a waiver for "insufficient time interval". If you want the second, it's totally up to you.


Get your medical in two weeks and skip the jab.

Here. study all these links and you'll see where I'm getting this info. http://www.cdc.gov/immigrantrefugeeh...tructions.html

In the link called Procedure for Completing the Vaccination Documentation Worksheet you'll find the discussion of the waivers. And further down find
◦Vaccination history incomplete: Applicant may be eligible for blanket waiver(s). Once you get the CR1 visa, nobody is going to make you follow up with more jabs. Same for K1s adjusting status. They will go by your visa medical if you get the shots recorded n the DS-3025.

Here's a Q&A from USCIS along the same lines about completing a series. from this page http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/usc...004718190aRCRDAnd from the Dept of State http://travel.state.gov/visa/laws/te...rams_4657.html (way down the page)

redarmy990

i had the mmr and 4 weeks later had the 2nd part as instructed by the nurse at my doctors. the cost £0 but she did say they were going to start to charge shortly.

also went to the asda pharmacy in my local store the flu jab is only £7 there. if they still have the vaccine.

hope this will help someone

Peaksy

If you do go to somewhere like ASDA for the jabs how do you prove to Knightsbridge you have had them- since they won't appear on your NHS record ?

Are you retaining the receipts to take with you along with NHS print out ?

I was considering this but wasn't sure :-)

Moxie

Get documentation from ASDA of the vaccine and date. Knightsbridge doesn't access the NHS records. You can take in a handwritten list from your GP, your little immunization book, and pieces of paper from ASDA as records of immunization.

As far as charging a fee, some NHS offices do it free but they don't have to since it's for immigration.