Hello,

My sons (aged 12 and 14) have lived in 4 different cities/countries since their birth. Thus their vaccination record is in the form of a card hand filled out by different doctors, without any stamp of the clinic or the doctor.

Wonder whether this will be acceptable to schools, when we come in Jun 2007. Request advice from any other parents who have been through such a situation and what did they do in such a situation.

Hi newboyo,
Most of us have gone through these and some of us might have forgotten about it. The parents with new born will be following the procedures recommended by the Family physicians and only people who are conscious of travels and the documents required will be adhering to the procedures you have followed in maintaing such records and documents. It is worthy of note.
The period of validity for most of these are noted in the certificate that you are mentioning in your query. If they are not posted there in, then, I can give you a guide line and you please verify te same with your doctor there.
Yellow Fever immunisation is good for 10 years currently. It was good for seven years way back when, and those who travelled through the areas that were still in the WHO books as suspect areas, would ADVICE you to roll up your sleeves two weeks prior to departure for that shot.
Cholers was valid for TWO years. (nine months in the old days)
Tetanus for Ten years (Seven years prior to this)
Others can be found through your doctor, nurse or the health authorities in the country you are now in. (India) The vaccines are improving in quality day by day.
I will provide you with the links here under. It might take a couple of hours of your time in browsing them, rather than wait for a response from some one more knowledgeable than me, in this subject.
Most of these Immunization certificated will be accepted at face value. Some are NEEDED and they will scrutinise them in depth. So, be prepared for it. If needed to revaccinate them, then please do find out the same from your family doctor there to be sure that you will pass your health clearance here with flying colours. If he knows or had a previous immigrants pass through his offices there, he will guide you properly or he will surely find out for you there.

Links.
Routine immunizations:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/travelvaccines_e.html#ri

Articles:
http://www.immunizationinfo.org/immunization_issues_detail.cfv?id=70

Immunization and what they prevent, an item for everyone, to read:
http://www.immunizationinfo.org/

What our Canadian Government has on their web site:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/index.html

Welcome to Canada.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomer/welcome/wel-06e.html#4

From India..
http://immigrationindia.nic.in/health_regulations.htm

I will say you all are O.K. in my books. The Canadian Government has cleared you all for entry and so I will leave it at that. Since you have all the time in the world to get it 100% correct, please do consult other sources to confirm the same for your mental peace.

All you need is the ounce of confidence. You can conquer everthing that comes your way. But, It is hell to conquer your own mind, when it creates that wee little doubt with in. These darn cobwebs.....

Freddie.

dear freddie,

thank you for your kind reply.

i was specifically wondering whether immunisation records, filled out by hand on a card, without the stamp of a doctor or a clinic are acceptable. needless to say, the laddies are fully vaccinated and do not miss out on a shot. in case the local govt authorities recommend a shot, we ensure that the laddies get it, coz- we figure that the govt must have a good reason for doing so.

thanx vm.

newboyo

Hello Newboyo..

I don't know about your immigration status.
But when you get your landing papers, you will get immunization record in canadian format. You have to get it filled by any certified Peadiatrician along with his stamp. This form is acceptable when you are admitting your kids in school. I don't think they will accept immunization record in any other form.

We are from sharjah and did in New Medical Centre.

Do not worry much about the immunization record.

What we did was we contacted our family physician in Chennai, who gave us the record on his letter head in a typed format(remember to backdate the shots from the date of birth). He signed and put his seal on it.

We made about 5 originals and carried it to Canada. I submitted it for both my children school admissions. The person did not want to even look at , it was just a formality that they need a record for their file. Once they are in when they move their records get transferred.

Please note that their immunization is not as extensive as back home.

BUT do not fail to get them all the shots done as they should not get into any health problems when they visit back home in future.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Speech by Thomas Friedman of The New York Times....

"When we were young kids growing up in America, we were told to eat our
vegetables at dinner and not leave them. Mothers said, 'think of the
starving children in India and finish the dinner.' And now I tell my
children: 'Finish your maths homework. Think of the children in India
who would make you starve, if you don't.'"

dear all,

thnx vm for your advice.

rgds,

newboyo