Immigration Vaccination Requirements

One of the most important parts of your journey to becoming a United State citizen is your immigration exam and physical. Everyone seeking citizenship is required to have a physical exam to ensure public health. During your exam, we screen you for any potentially infectious diseases or serious mental health problems that may threaten safety. 

The exams are comprehensive, and we evaluate almost every facet of your health and wellness. We also make sure that you’re up-to-date on the necessary vaccinations required for a green card. 

Our team will walk you through exactly which vaccinations you need, so you can head into your immigration physical prepared and informed. 

Which vaccinations do you need?

There are many strict requirements you must adhere to when applying for your green card, especially when it comes to mandatory vaccinations. Here’s a closer look at the vaccinations you need. 

Mumps, measles, rubella

Many refer to the vaccination for mumps, measles, and rubella as the MMR vaccine. Measles causes fever, rash, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, and can lead to ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, brain damage, and, in the most severe cases, death. 

Mumps causes fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and swollen salivary glands. It can lead to swelling of the testicles or ovaries, deafness, brain and spinal cord inflammation, and death.

Rubella causes similar symptoms as measles. It can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women and lead to serious birth defects or miscarriage. 

Polio

Polio is a serious, disabling, and at times life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus. It can infect your spinal cord and result in paralysis. It’s important you get vaccinated against polio for your own health and because you can spread the virus to others.

Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids

You may hear people call this vaccination the Td vaccine. Both tetanus and diphtheria are bacterial infections. 

Tetanus causes painful tightening of the muscles all over your body, but most commonly it leads to a locking of your jaw, so you can’t chew or swallow. You can contract tetanus through an open cut or wound. 

Diphtheria results in a thick coating in your nose, throat, and airway, which leads to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and death. Diphtheria is an incredibly contagious disease that spreads easily from person to person. 

Pertussis

Also known as whooping cough, pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms include uncontrollable, violent coughing fits that affect breathing. 

Haemophilus influenza type B

Though influenza is in its name, Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) is not the flu. Hib can cause a severe infection of the lining of both your brain and spinal cord and can spread to others when you cough or sneeze.

Hepatitis A and B

Hepatitis A and B are two serious viral infections. Hepatitis A spreads through contact with the stool of a person infected with hepatitis A. Typically, a person contracts hepatitis A by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. 

Hepatitis B spreads through blood, bodily fluids, sexual contact, or sharing IV drug needles. A person can also contract hepatitis B at birth through an infected mother. 

Both types of hepatitis cause liver inflammation, vomiting, and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice). It can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or death. 

Varicella

Varicella (more commonly known as chickenpox) is a contagious viral infection that causes blister-like rashes, itchiness, fatigue, and fever. Pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems are at an increased risk for complications or hospitalizations. 

Influenza

Also known as the flu, this is a contagious viral infection that can cause severe illness, and at times can be fatal. 

Pneumococcal pneumonia

Pneumococcal pneumonia is an infectious respiratory disease caused by bacteria in your upper respiratory tract. Symptoms typically include high fever, excessive sweating, shaking, chills, and trouble breathing. You can easily spread this disease to others when you cough or sneeze. 

Rotavirus

Rotavirus is a viral infection that spreads particularly easily among infants and young children. The virus causes severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain. 

Meningococcal disease

Meningococcal disease is a very serious, contagious illness caused by bacteria that can lead to meningitis. Meningitis is an infection of the brain and spinal cord, and it can also result in a blood infection. This disease develops quickly (over only a few hours), and can often be fatal. 

If you’d like more information about the different vaccinations you need, or if you’d like to schedule an immigration physical, don’t hesitate to call or request an appointment online or over the phone today.