Communicable Diseases that Immigrants Must Be Vaccinated For

When you’re immigrating to the United States, you must receive an immigration physical as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This physical is an important part of your immigration process because it can help rule out any medical-related grounds of inadmissibility. 

In addition to ruling out grounds of medical inadmissibility, these physicals also provide the opportunity to receive the necessary vaccines. Vaccinating yourself against communicable diseases helps protect you as well as those around you.

Here is a closer look at the vaccines you may receive at Physicians Medical Urgent Care in San Jose, California, during your immigration physical.

Vaccination criteria for immigrants to the United States

In 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the vaccination criteria for immigrants. In order for a vaccine to be included in the vaccine schedule for immigrants, the vaccine must:

1. Be age-appropriate (e.g., babies may not be eligible for the same vaccines as adults)
2. Protect against diseases that have the potential to cause outbreaks
3. Protect against diseases that have already been eliminated (or in the process of being eliminated) in America

Some vaccines are administered in multiple doses. However, for the sake of your immigration physical, you are only required to receive the first dose during your exam. You are encouraged to complete all recommended doses on the appropriate timeline.

Which vaccines are included in your immigration physical? 

In 2009, the CDC removed the zoster and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines from the list of vaccines to be included in immigration physicals. At this time, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requires vaccines for the following diseases:

• Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids
• Pertussis
• Mumps
• Measles
• Rubella
• Polio
• Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB)
• Hepatitis B
• COVID-19 

The CDC also recommends vaccines for the following:

• Hepatitis A
• Pneumococcal pneumonia
• Influenza
• Meningococcal
• Rotavirus

The Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) may update the recommendations as the need arises. For example, the ACIP now recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone (age 5+) within the scope of the Emergency Use Authorization.  

Who needs these vaccines?

All applicants who want to establish permanent residence in the United States must receive these vaccines during their immigration physicals. This applies to those who have already been examined overseas and those individuals already within American borders seeking to adjust their visa status and become a legal permanent resident.

Not sure if you’re up-to-date with your vaccines?

Getting the right paperwork and scheduling the appropriate appointments for your immigration process can be overwhelming 一 and that includes getting your vaccination records in order. Here at Physicians Medical Urgent Care, Dr. Ines Munoz De Laborde and Dr. Sveltlana Burkhead are here to make your immigration physical as easy as possible. Even if you’re not sure if you’ve had any of these vaccines, our knowledgeable and compassionate team is here to guide you through each step of the process. 

If you’re ready to schedule your immigration physical for you (or your entire family), use our online portal to schedule your appointment. You can also reach Physicians Medical Urgent Care by calling 408-207-4637.