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Understanding Vaccination Requirements For Immigration Medical Exams

Understanding Vaccination Requirements For Immigration Medical Exams

Published on 13 August 2025 at 08:30

« Previous Understanding Immigration Medical Examination: A Guide For Immigrants

Understanding Vaccination Requirements For Immigration Medical Exams

For immigrants seeking to establish permanent residency in the United States, understanding the vaccination requirements tied to the immigration medical examination is crucial. These regulations ensure that individuals immigrating to the U.S. are protected against certain contagious diseases, thus safeguarding public health.

Under U.S. immigration laws, primarily stated in the Immigration and Nationality Act, applicants for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status are mandated to receive vaccinations against a specific list of diseases. The required vaccinations include:

- Mumps

- Measles

- Rubella

- Polio

- Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids

- Pertussis

- Hepatitis B

- Varicella (chickenpox)

These requirements are guided by recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which provides advice to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC regularly evaluates the need for new vaccines based on current public health considerations, and this can influence what may be required for immigration purposes.

For those applying for an immigrant visa abroad, the process involves a medical examination conducted by a panel physician authorized by the U.S. Department of State. These physicians follow guidelines issued by the CDC during the immigration medical examinations to ensure that all necessary health checks, including vaccinations, are properly administered.

It's important to note that under Section 212(a)(1)(A)(ii) of the Act, failure to show evidence of vaccination against the specified diseases renders an applicant inadmissible, meaning they would be ineligible for entry or status adjustment. However, there are exceptions for certain cases. For instance, applicants who have previously completed the immigration medical examination abroad may not need to retake the entire assessment, including the vaccination evaluation.

If you are concerned about your vaccination history, you may wonder:

1)“Do I have to receive all the required vaccines, even though I have been vaccinated before?”

The short answer is no. Civil surgeons conducting the immigration medical exams will review your vaccination records. It is essential to provide any written documentation regarding your vaccination history at the time of the examination. These records will help determine if you have proof of the required vaccinations suitable for your age group.

In cases where you lack any necessary vaccinations, the civil surgeon will provide them at the time of the exam. Alternatively, you can arrange to obtain the required vaccinations from the health department.

2) “Do I have to receive all the vaccines that are on CDC's list, if I have a medical condition that prevents me from receiving the required vaccines?”

If you have a medical condition that prevents you from receiving a vaccine, the civil surgeon will annotate the Form I-693 accordingly and mark the vaccine as contraindicated. A contraindication is a condition that prevents you from receiving a particular vaccine. It is up to the civil surgeon to determine whether you have such a condition that prevents you from receiving a particular vaccine at the time of the immigration medical examination.

3) Certain vaccine series can only be completed with multiple visits to the civil surgeon. “Am I required to complete the entire series before the civil surgeon can sign the Form I-693?”

You are only required to receive a single dose of each vaccine when you visit the civil surgeon. You are encouraged to follow up with your private health care provider to complete the series. Once you have received the single dose appropriate at the time, the civil surgeon can sign and certify the Form I-693.

4) “I am pregnant and do not wish to receive any vaccinations. Do I still have to get them to be able to obtain permanent resident status in the United States?”
A. If you are pregnant, the CDC's Technical Instructions direct the civil surgeon how to evaluate the vaccines you are able to receive during pregnancy. If the civil surgeon cannot safely administer a required vaccine, they will annotate the Form I-693 by marking the vaccine as contraindicated. If the Technical Instructions mandate that a specific vaccine is not contraindicated by pregnancy, but you want to wait to receive the vaccine until after your pregnancy, you may choose to delay the completion of your immigration medical examination until that time. Once you receive the required vaccine(s) and all other requirements, the civil surgeon can then sign and complete your immigration medical examination. However, you should be aware that this could delay the processing of your application for adjustment of status.

5) “Do I have to get the seasonal flu vaccine if it is not the flu season?”

For purposes of the immigration medical examination, the civil surgeon is required to administer the flu vaccine from Sept.1 until March 31. If your immigration medical examination is during a period when the flu vaccine is available to your civil surgeon, you must receive it. If you have an immigration medical examination completed when the flu vaccine is not available to your civil surgeon, then you are not required to document that you have received the seasonal flu vaccine for immigration purposes.

6) “Who pays for the vaccinations?”

You are responsible for paying the appropriate fee for all vaccinations. If the civil surgeon is administering the vaccinations, you are responsible for paying the appropriate fee directly to the civil surgeon, as agreed upon with the civil surgeon. You should ask about the price of the vaccinations before the immigration medical examination or the administration of the vaccinations.

7) “Can I be forced to be vaccinated for immigration purposes?”

If you refuse to receive the vaccines required for immigration purposes, as mandated by the immigration laws of the United States, your application for legal permanent resident status may be denied.

8) “Will USCIS accept a Form I-693 if the vaccination chart is incomplete?”

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 immigration 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 are inadmissible and will have to apply for a waiver of inadmissibility.

9) “Is the COVID-19 vaccine required for aliens applying for adjustment of status?”

No. As of Jan. 20, 2025, aliens applying for adjustment of status are no longer required to provide documentation of having received the COVID-19 vaccination. Therefore, for any adjustment of status application pending on or after January 20, 2025, the alien applying does not need to provide documentation of having completed the COVID-19 vaccination.

Preparing for the immigration medical exam can feel overwhelming, especially concerning vaccination requirements. However, understanding these mandates and being proactive with your health records can streamline the process. Always keep abreast of any changes in immigration policy by consulting official resources, and when in doubt, consider reaching out to healthcare professionals or immigration services for assistance. Remember, your health is vital not only for your own well-being but also for the community you will be a part of in the United States.

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