Is the Meningococcal B Vaccine Required for Immigration?
Quick Answer
The MenB vaccine may be required for certain age groups based on ACIP recommendations. It is distinct from the MenACWY vaccine. Whether MenB is required depends on your age and whether ACIP has made a routine recommendation or a shared clinical decision recommendation for your age group.
MenB vs. MenACWY: Two Different Vaccines
There are two distinct types of meningococcal vaccines, and they are not interchangeable. The MenACWY vaccine protects against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, and Y. The MenB vaccine (also called serogroup B meningococcal vaccine) protects against serogroup B, which is responsible for a significant proportion of meningococcal disease in the United States. For immigration purposes, these are tracked separately, and having one does not satisfy the requirement for the other.
ACIP Recommendation vs. Routine Requirement
USCIS requires vaccines that ACIP recommends routinely for a person's age group. For MenB, ACIP has made a "shared clinical decision" recommendation for adolescents and young adults aged 16–23 (preferably 16–18), rather than a universal routine recommendation. This distinction matters for immigration: vaccines that are only "shared clinical decision" recommendations — rather than routine recommendations — may not be required in the same way as routinely recommended vaccines. The civil surgeon will assess whether MenB is required based on your specific age and the current ACIP schedule.
Who May Be Required to Receive MenB
Certain individuals are routinely recommended to receive MenB vaccine regardless of age, including those with complement component deficiencies, those taking complement inhibitors (such as eculizumab), those with asplenia or sickle cell disease, microbiologists routinely exposed to Neisseria meningitidis, and individuals at increased risk during outbreaks. For these high-risk groups, MenB is a routine ACIP recommendation and would be required for immigration.
MenB Vaccine Brands and Dosing
Two MenB vaccines are approved in the United States: Bexsero (2-dose series, given at least 1 month apart) and Trumenba (2- or 3-dose series depending on schedule). The two brands are not interchangeable — the series must be completed with the same brand. If you need MenB vaccine, the civil surgeon will advise on which brand will be used and the dosing schedule.
Documentation and Follow-Up
If MenB vaccine is required and you need a multi-dose series, you will need follow-up appointments to complete the series before Form I-693 can be finalized. Bring any existing MenB vaccination records to your appointment so the civil surgeon can determine whether you have already received doses that count toward the requirement.
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