Which Vaccines Are NOT Required for Immigration?
Quick Answer
Not all vaccines are required for immigration. Only vaccines that ACIP routinely recommends for your specific age group are required. Vaccines that are only recommended for travelers, certain occupations, or specific risk groups — but not routinely for your age group — are generally not required.
How USCIS Determines Which Vaccines Are Required
USCIS requires vaccines that ACIP routinely recommends for a person's age group. The key word is "routinely" — vaccines that ACIP recommends only for specific risk groups, travelers, or certain occupations are generally not required for immigration unless you fall into one of those specific groups. ACIP publishes annual immunization schedules that list recommended vaccines by age group, and the civil surgeon uses these schedules to determine what is required for each applicant.
Vaccines Recommended but Not Routinely Required
Several vaccines are recommended by ACIP for certain groups but are not routinely required for all immigration applicants. These include: typhoid vaccine (recommended for travelers to certain areas, not routinely required for immigration), yellow fever vaccine (required only for travel to endemic areas, not for immigration), rabies vaccine (recommended for certain occupations and travelers, not routinely required), Japanese encephalitis vaccine (recommended for travelers, not routinely required), and cholera vaccine (recommended for certain travelers, not routinely required).
Age-Out Situations
Some vaccines are only required for certain age groups, and once you age out of the recommended age range, the vaccine is no longer required. Examples include: rotavirus vaccine (only for infants who start the series before 15 weeks), Hib vaccine (only for children under 5), and HPV vaccine (routinely required through age 26; shared clinical decision for ages 27–45; not required for those 46 and older). If you have aged out of the recommended age range for a vaccine, the civil surgeon will note this on Form I-693.
Vaccines That Were Previously Required but Are No Longer
ACIP recommendations change over time, and the immigration vaccine requirements change accordingly. For example, the recommendation for certain vaccines may be updated, or new vaccines may be added to the required list. The civil surgeon always applies the most current ACIP schedule at the time of your exam. If you had a prior immigration medical exam and are having a new one, the requirements may have changed.
How to Know What Applies to You
The best way to know exactly which vaccines are required for your immigration medical exam is to schedule an appointment with our civil surgeon. At your appointment, the civil surgeon will review your vaccination history, assess your age and any relevant medical conditions, and determine exactly which vaccines you need. You can also review the current ACIP immunization schedule on the CDC website to get a general sense of what is recommended for your age group.
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