Vaccinations Required?

[ShodomonRules]

I'm American, in Thaland three plus years, and am about to get married. We've been thinking about spending a few years in the States, before deciding where to live permanantly. Looking at State Department website, we see where the wife, 34 year old Thai, might be required to endure fourteeen vaccinations. (She had a few when she was a small child, but no longer has the records.)

• Hepatitis A
  
• Hepatitis B
  
• Influenza
  
• Influenza type b (Hib)
  
• Measles
  
• Meningococcal
  
• Mumps
  
• Pneumococcal
  
• Pertussis
  
• Polio
  
• Rotavirus
  
• Rubella
  
• Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids
  
• Varicella
  

This is a problem for both of us, as we believe vaccinations are not healthy. Tetanus is one thing, we have no problem with that, but potentially fourteen in a short period of time is downright dangerous.

There is ambiguity on the State Department website (what a shocker!) as to which, or all, are required. It says that waivers are available. Speaking with folks at the embassy was a waste of time..."file the application, pay the fee, see what happens, blah, blah..." We don't want to start something that we won't finish.

Anybody have experience with this? Is there a way to bypass the vaccinations? Feel free to PM me, if that's better.

Folks, this is a simple question, and I'm not seeking controversy or confrontation about the neccesity of vaccinations.

Thanks very much for meaningful input.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

I don't know the answer to your vaccination Q but suggest you talk to U.S. Immigration down on Wireless Road. See notes below via Mr Google.

Mac

Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship & Immigration Services (CIS), Formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)

Address: Sindhorn Tower 2, 15th FLoor, 130 Wireless Road, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

Fax: +66-2-650-7770

E-mail: [email protected]

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=3384cc5222ff5210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=6abe6d26d17df110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD

Q. What will happen if I refuse to receive one or all of the required vaccines?

A. Tell the civil surgeon if you do not wish to receive the required vaccines or a particular vaccine. You should also tell the civil surgeon the reason you do not wish to receive the vaccine(s). In this case, a waiver may be available to you, but only under the following circumstances:

You are opposed to vaccinations in any form– that is, you cannot obtain a waiver based on an objection only as to one vaccination

Your objection must be based on religious beliefs or moral convictions; and

The religious or moral beliefs must be sincere.

Q. Will USCIS accept a Form I-693 if the vaccination chart is incomplete?

A. No. The vaccination chart should have at least one entry in each row for each vaccine. If the vaccination chart is not properly completed at the time of the medical examination, USCIS may return the Form I-693 to you with instructions on how to correct it.

If you refuse a vaccine because of religious or moral reasons, the civil surgeon will mark this on the Form I-693. In this case, you will have to apply for a waiver.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

USCIS Form I-690:

Application for Waiver of Grounds for Inadmissibility

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-690instr.pdf

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

USCIS Form I-601

Application for Waiver of Grounds for Inadmissibility

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=bb515f56ff55d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Time Traveller]

Ok you need not be worried for a number of reasons she won't need all 14. I went through this last year and for most Adults only need to prove for a few, which is usually just 2 or 3 shots.

When you submit your application to immigrate to the US you will at some stage receive a date to have an interview at the embassy. Before that date you must go and have a medical done at an approved doctor - the embassy provides this list. The medical takes a few hours and they will do a blood test to check for antigens/antibodies for confirmation of immunity of the above listed diseases. For myself, I had no record available of childhood vaccinations received either so the blood test can rule out the need for additional vaccinations.

Also depending upon the age, some of these immunizations are not necessary - such as rotovirus, which adults have a natural immunity to as most children under 5 will get it. However, I was required to get the MMR vaccine again and the Td (whatever that is).

Vaccinations are always better to have several done at the same time, usually several in the same injection. The reason is that the body immune systems learns to fight multiple illnesses at the same time meaning more effective immunity.

BTW, I know you have your own opinion, but some of the diseases listed are not harmless as is commonly thought. I have no background in medicine or healthcare but I do have a background in Statistics, and I can say that there is no rational reason why anyone should chose not to have vaccinations unless you have a specific allergy (such as to egg whites). The chance of picking up any given listed disease and then suffering complications is many many times greater than the chance of suffering side effects from having a vaccine. And importantly, the vaccine is not just to protect you from the illness, it's mostly to stop you passing it on to other people. If you still think you don't want to undertake vaccines then consider this. It is never a good thing to have communicable diseases circulating in communities and when this happens it can likely expose babies to illnesses before they have had a chance to be vaccinated. The eradication of smallpox is the game-over in the debate about to vaccinate or not

[ShodomonRules]

Thanks for your input, guys.