The vaccination review is one of the most misunderstood parts of the immigration medical exam. Many applicants assume they only need to show up with whatever shots they remember getting as children. In reality, the USCIS-certified medical exam in Tampa requires following a specific CDC list, checks your records against it, and documents any gaps directly on Form I-693. Missing a required vaccine without a valid reason can result in a Class A finding, which makes you inadmissible until the issue is resolved.
Here is the current vaccine list, how age affects what you need, and what to do if your records are incomplete.
The current required vaccines for green card applicants
The CDC sets the official vaccination requirements for immigration medical exams. As of March 2025, the COVID-19 vaccine is no longer required. The following vaccines remain on the list for eligible applicants:
| Vaccine | Notes |
|---|---|
| MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) | Required unless immunity is documented or proven by titer |
| Polio (IPV) | Updated May 2024: required for anyone 2 months or older not up to date per ACIP schedule |
| Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td/Tdap) | Tdap preferred if no prior dose; Td acceptable as booster |
| Pertussis | Covered by Tdap |
| Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) | Age-dependent; typically required for children |
| Hepatitis A | Required for children 12 months to 18 years |
| Hepatitis B | Required for most applicants; age-based exceptions apply |
| Varicella (chickenpox) | Required unless prior infection or documented immunity |
| Meningococcal (ACWY) | Required for adolescents 11–16 or other risk groups |
| Pneumococcal | Required for children and adults 65 or older |
| Influenza (seasonal flu) | Required only if your appointment falls between October 1 and March 31 |
| Rotavirus | Required for infants 6 weeks to 14 weeks 6 days |
Not every vaccine applies to every applicant. The civil surgeon uses a CDC age-based chart to determine which vaccines are appropriate for your specific age group at the time of the exam.
How age affects your vaccine requirements
The list above does not apply uniformly to all applicants. A 35-year-old adult and a 5-year-old child will have very different requirements based on the CDC schedule.
For most adult applicants, the core vaccines to verify are MMR, varicella, Tdap, polio, hepatitis B, and the seasonal flu shot if the exam happens between October and March. Older adults (65 and over) may also need pneumococcal vaccines.
For children, the requirements are broader and track the standard U.S. childhood immunization schedule, including Hib, hepatitis A, rotavirus, and meningococcal vaccines at the appropriate ages.
The civil surgeon reviews your immunization records at the appointment and determines on the spot which vaccines you still need based on your age and documented history.
What to bring to your appointment
The single most useful thing you can do before your immigration medical exam is locate your vaccination records. Bring:
- Your original immunization records, even if they are from another country
- Records in another language accompanied by a certified translation if possible
- Any documentation of past infections (chickenpox, for example, may be documented as prior immunity)
If your records are from abroad and show vaccines given under a different schedule or brand name, the civil surgeon will assess whether they satisfy U.S. requirements.
What happens if you don’t have your vaccination records
Missing records are common, and they don’t automatically delay your application. There are two practical options:
Titer testing: a blood test that checks whether your body has immunity to a specific disease, even without documentation. Titers are commonly used for MMR, varicella, and hepatitis B. If the result confirms immunity, the civil surgeon records it on Form I-693 as proof of protection. Note that titer testing for certain poliovirus strains is not available, which effectively means polio vaccination is required for most applicants regardless of prior history.
Catch-up vaccination: if titers are negative or not applicable, the civil surgeon can administer the missing vaccines during your appointment at an additional cost, or direct you to a nearby pharmacy or health department to get them before submitting your I-693.
What if a vaccine isn’t safe for you?
Some applicants have medical conditions that make certain vaccines contraindicated. Severe allergies to vaccine components, immunocompromised conditions, and pregnancy are the most common reasons. In these cases, the civil surgeon marks the vaccine as «not medically appropriate» directly on Form I-693, and USCIS grants a blanket waiver for that specific vaccine. No separate waiver application is required.
Religious or moral exemptions also exist but follow a more formal process and require separate documentation submitted to USCIS.
Schedule your exam with a civil surgeon in Tampa
If you are in the Tampa Bay area, Medical Exams of Tampa has a USCIS-designated USCIS-certified medical exam in Tampa with a civil surgeon who reviews your vaccination records, administers any missing vaccines on site, and provides your sealed I-693 form. Bilingual staff in English and Spanish, flat-rate pricing, and Saturday appointments available. Book your appointment before gathering your records: the civil surgeon will guide you through any gaps at the visit itself.
