Vaccines Required for U.S. Immigration in 2026
By Immigration Spot Clinic & Services | Updated May 2026
If you are applying for a green card or adjusting your status in the United States, your immigration medical exam will include a review of your vaccination history. This vaccination review is documented on Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.
For many applicants, vaccines are one of the most confusing parts of the immigration medical exam. Some people have complete records, some have partial records, and others have no records at all. The good news is that a USCIS-designated civil surgeon can review your history and determine what is required based on your age, medical history, and current CDC technical instructions.
This guide explains which vaccines may be required for U.S. immigration in 2026, what documents to bring, and how to avoid delays with your Form I-693.
Why vaccines are part of the immigration medical exam
The vaccination portion of the immigration medical exam is designed to confirm that applicants meet public health requirements for immigration purposes. Civil surgeons follow CDC technical instructions when completing the vaccination section of Form I-693.
The exam is not simply a routine annual physical. It is a specific immigration requirement connected to medical admissibility, public health, and USCIS documentation.
USCIS also explains that civil surgeons must administer certain vaccines when they are medically appropriate, including the seasonal flu vaccine during flu season. Current USCIS and CDC guidance should always be reviewed because requirements can be updated over time.
Common vaccines reviewed for U.S. immigration
The vaccines required for a specific applicant depend on age, vaccine history, medical eligibility, and CDC instructions in effect at the time of the exam. Common vaccines reviewed during the immigration medical exam may include:
| Vaccine | What it protects against |
|---|---|
| MMR | Measles, mumps, and rubella |
| Varicella | Chickenpox |
| Tdap / Td / DTaP | Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis |
| Polio | Poliovirus |
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B infection |
| Hepatitis A | Hepatitis A infection, often age-dependent |
| Influenza | Seasonal flu, required during flu season when age-appropriate |
| Pneumococcal | Pneumococcal disease, often age or risk dependent |
| Meningococcal | Meningococcal disease, often age-dependent |
| Rotavirus | Rotavirus infection, generally for young children |
| Hib | Haemophilus influenzae type b, generally for young children |
| COVID-19 | Requirement status has changed over time; applicants should confirm current USCIS and CDC guidance at the time of exam |
This list is not a personal vaccine prescription. Your civil surgeon determines what is required for you based on the official age-based vaccine chart, your records, and your medical eligibility.
Are all vaccines required for every applicant?
No. Not every vaccine applies to every person. Immigration vaccine requirements are generally based on whether a vaccine is:
- Age-appropriate
- Medically appropriate
- Required under current CDC technical instructions
- Supported by valid documentation or acceptable evidence of immunity, when allowed
For example, some vaccines apply mainly to infants or children, while others apply to adults. Some vaccines are seasonal, such as influenza. Others may be marked by the civil surgeon as not medically appropriate if a valid medical reason applies.
What if you do not have vaccination records?
Missing vaccination records are very common, especially for applicants who received childhood vaccines in another country or no longer have access to old medical files. If you do not have records, do not panic.
Depending on the vaccine and your situation, the civil surgeon may:
- Administer missing vaccines during or after the exam
- Review partial records and determine what still needs to be completed
- Order blood tests to confirm immunity when acceptable
- Mark a vaccine as not medically appropriate when CDC rules allow
The best approach is to bring whatever documentation you have and allow the civil surgeon to review it. Even partial records can be helpful.
What documents should you bring to your vaccine review?
To help the appointment go smoothly, bring as much vaccine documentation as possible. Useful documents may include:
- Childhood vaccination records
- School or university immunization records
- Military vaccine records, if applicable
- International vaccination booklets or vaccine cards
- Records from prior doctors, clinics, or pharmacies
- Lab results showing immunity, if available
- Documentation of prior chickenpox infection, if applicable
If records are in another language, ask the clinic whether a translation is needed before your appointment.
Can missing vaccines delay Form I-693?
Yes. Missing vaccines can delay completion of Form I-693 if requirements are not satisfied at the time of the exam. The civil surgeon must properly document your vaccination history and determine whether required vaccines have been completed, administered, or properly marked as not medically appropriate.
Delays may happen when:
- Records are missing or unclear
- Additional vaccines need to be administered
- Bloodwork is needed to verify immunity
- A vaccine is temporarily unavailable
- The applicant needs follow-up documentation
Scheduling your immigration medical exam early gives you time to resolve these issues before filing or before a USCIS interview.
Seasonal flu vaccine: why timing matters
The flu vaccine is different from many other immigration vaccines because it is seasonal. USCIS notes that civil surgeons are required to administer the flu vaccine during flu season when it is age-appropriate. USCIS identifies the flu season for this purpose as September 1 through March 31.
This means the timing of your immigration medical exam can affect whether the flu vaccine is required at your appointment. If your exam falls during flu season and you are age-eligible, the civil surgeon will review whether it is needed.
How to avoid vaccine-related delays
A little preparation can prevent many problems. Before your appointment:
- Gather every vaccination record you can find
- Bring a government-issued photo ID
- Tell the clinic if you are pregnant, immunocompromised, or have a history of vaccine reactions
- Do not assume you need every vaccine listed online
- Ask the civil surgeon what applies to your age and medical history
- Schedule early so there is time for labs, vaccines, or follow-up if needed
The goal is not to over-vaccinate or guess. The goal is to complete the immigration medical exam correctly based on the requirements that apply to you.
Frequently asked questions about immigration vaccine requirements
No. Vaccine requirements depend on your age, medical history, vaccination records, and current CDC guidance. The civil surgeon determines which vaccines apply to you.
Bring any partial records you have. The civil surgeon may administer missing vaccines or, in some cases, order blood tests to confirm immunity if allowed.
The flu vaccine is required during flu season when it is age-appropriate. USCIS identifies the flu season for immigration exams as September 1 through March 31.
Yes. Missing records, missing vaccines, immunity testing, or follow-up documentation can delay completion of Form I-693. Scheduling early helps prevent last-minute problems.
It is usually best to bring your records first and let the civil surgeon determine what is required. This helps avoid unnecessary vaccines and ensures proper documentation on Form I-693.
How Immigration Spot Clinic & Services can help
Immigration Spot Clinic & Services helps applicants complete USCIS-compliant immigration medical exams, including vaccination record review, lab coordination, and sealed Form I-693 documentation.
If you are preparing for your green card medical exam, our team can help you understand what records to bring and what to expect during the vaccination review. Contact us to schedule your immigration medical exam.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information, not legal or medical advice. Vaccine requirements can change, and individual medical history matters. Always review current USCIS and CDC guidance and consult a qualified immigration attorney or medical professional for your specific situation.