There's quite a long list of vaccination requirements for green card applicants.

I think I know the answer to this question but I'll pitch it anyway - Should I attempt to get all the vaccinations done in the UK before I leave for the US, or wait till the Medical Examination part of the green card process when I am in the US itself.

The medical exam is prior to your visa interview i.e. outside the US. And yes, I would just get any shots you require at the medical.

Thanks pulaski.

My 'situation' is slightly different in that I will probably be in the US at the time of applying for the green card.

Did you read all the information on vaccinations? If not, in a nutshell it states that if you are of a certain age and from first world countries, it is assumed that you have had the required vaccinations other than needing the chicken pox jab (which is not available in the UK), updated tetenus and one or two others.

If you can get your records from your doctor, fabulous, if not, then not a worry.

Thanks Rete - So really if I am up to date in the UK I would just get the c/pox in the US somehow?

Titre test, shows what you are covered for, might be able to get that as part of annual physical exam on your medical insurance and then any top up as needed, would be cheaper at least than at the immigration medical.

I repeat this frequently, there are the vaccinations required for immigration and there are the vaccinations required for your good health.

You should consider adult boosters for pertussis (whooping cough) and MMR.

... and either way, the exam doc may decide you require fewer or (rarely) more than the number of shots you can't provide documentation for.

Hopefully in a status other than VWP visitor.

I looked at your past posts, but you never said what visa you'll be using to enter the USA.

Rene

I was in the US at the time of applying for the green card and didn't have any vaccination documentation. It was no problem, I just had to have all the shots at the medical. About 5 if I remember. Nice day that was!

My husband just had his doctor in the UK set him up with the set of vax he needed and he just showed the doctor's printout to the Knightsbridge doctors at the medical. MUCH cheaper that way.

Technically you don't need your medical records either. Given that you will need to do a blood serum for TB they can include blood serum for the required vaccinations, if your blood serum shows up positive for the vaccinations you don't need them either. Of course if they show up negative you have to have the vaccinations and pay for both the serum work and vaccinations.

Also depending on your health cover it may just be cheaper to get the vaccinations which is why most people do it that way.

The titre test... Which can cost $260 if not done as part of an annual physical.

The immigration medical is $200 - $250 in the US which includes a TB/Hep B/HIV titer. I understand each additional titer is only $50 (each antibody is an additional titer). The vaccinations are about $50 each depending on provider and medical coverage. The issue as I understand is that most people don't want the hassle of going back for the vaccination if the titer is negative. The titer is useful if you never have had the vaccinations but have suffered the usual childhood diseases and carry the antibodies.

The doctor can charge what they want, for the exam and the tests, which is why it's good to shop around if your area has more than one approved doctor.

They tend to do a titre for everything unless you already have your record.