Immigration Vaccines for Green Card Applicants: Your 2026 USCIS Guide
Applying for a green card? Your vaccination records are an important part of the immigration medical examination—but you may not need as many additional vaccines as you think.
Many applicants arrive for their immigration medical examination unsure which vaccinations they need, whether vaccines received overseas are acceptable, or what happens when their childhood records are missing.
The good news is that you do not automatically need to repeat every vaccination.
At Maryland Primary & Urgent Care in Lanham, Maryland, Dr. Sherif Hassan, a USCIS-designated civil surgeon, reviews your vaccination history, determines which requirements apply, and helps you complete the vaccination portion of Form I-693.
Our office provides routine immigration medical examinations, laboratory testing, and vaccination services on site, making the process more convenient for applicants throughout Maryland, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia.
Schedule Your USCIS Immigration Medical Exam in Maryland
Which Vaccines Are Required for a Green Card?
USCIS immigration medical examinations follow vaccination requirements established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The requirements are not identical for everyone.
Your civil surgeon considers your age, vaccination history, acceptable evidence of immunity, and any medical reasons a particular vaccine may not be appropriate.
The vaccines evaluated under the CDC’s immigration medical examination guidelines include those protecting against:
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Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
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Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis
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Polio
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Hepatitis A and hepatitis B
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Varicella (chickenpox)
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Influenza
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Pneumococcal disease
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Meningococcal disease
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Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
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Rotavirus
Not every vaccine on this list is required for every applicant.
Some apply primarily to younger age groups. Others depend on your age, previous vaccination history, or the current immunization schedule.
For most adult green card applicants, the civil surgeon will pay particular attention to vaccination records for MMR, tetanus-related vaccines, polio, hepatitis B when age-appropriate, varicella, and seasonal influenza.
The complete requirements are available in the CDC Vaccination Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons.
Immigration Vaccine Requirements for Adults
Most patients visiting Maryland Primary & Urgent Care for Form I-693 are adults.
For adult applicants, the vaccination review commonly includes the following:
| Vaccine | What applicants should know |
|---|---|
| MMR | Generally required for applicable age groups, particularly those born in 1957 or later |
| Tdap/Td | Previous vaccination and recommended doses are reviewed |
| Polio | Adults without satisfactory documentation may require vaccination |
| Hepatitis B | Requirements depend on the applicant’s age |
| Varicella | Documented vaccination, acceptable disease history, or immunity evidence may satisfy requirements |
| Influenza | Required when age-appropriate and the examination occurs during the applicable influenza vaccination season |
| Pneumococcal | Applies to certain age groups under the CDC immigration schedule |
This table is a simplified guide, not a replacement for the CDC’s full age-based requirements.
Your civil surgeon makes the final medical assessment using the applicable CDC instructions.
Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Still Required for a Green Card?
No. COVID-19 vaccination documentation is no longer required for applicants adjusting status to lawful permanent residence.
USCIS announced that applicants would no longer be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination for Form I-693 beginning in January 2025, and the CDC subsequently updated its technical instructions.
If you previously believed COVID-19 vaccination was mandatory for your immigration examination, this requirement has changed.
Your civil surgeon will focus on the vaccinations that remain applicable under the current CDC immigration medical guidelines.
What If You Already Received Vaccines in Another Country?
Vaccinations received outside the United States may be accepted for your immigration medical examination.
You do not necessarily need to repeat a vaccine because it was administered overseas.
Many applicants have vaccination records from countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.
These records may use different vaccine names, abbreviations, or documentation formats.
Dr. Hassan’s international medical experience is particularly relevant when reviewing medical histories and vaccination documentation from different healthcare systems.
The important consideration is whether your records provide acceptable evidence of vaccination.
Your records should clearly identify the vaccine and the date it was administered.
If the documents are written in another language, bring a reliable English translation.
Bring any vaccination records you have, even if they are old or incomplete.
They may still provide useful information during your medical evaluation.
What If You Cannot Find Your Vaccination Records?
Missing vaccination records are common among immigration applicants.
Some people were vaccinated decades ago and no longer have their childhood records. Others may have difficulty obtaining documentation from clinics or schools in their home countries.
This does not automatically prevent you from completing your immigration medical examination.
Depending on the vaccine and your circumstances, the civil surgeon may recommend one of two approaches.
1. Blood Tests to Demonstrate Immunity
For certain diseases, laboratory testing can establish whether you already have immunity.
These blood tests are commonly called antibody titers.
For example, acceptable laboratory evidence of immunity may sometimes help establish protection against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, or hepatitis B.
However, immunity testing is not an acceptable substitute for every required vaccine.
Your physician will determine whether testing is appropriate.
2. Receiving Missing Vaccinations
When acceptable records or immunity evidence are unavailable, receiving the appropriate vaccine may be the simplest solution.
At Maryland Primary & Urgent Care, we provide vaccination services alongside our immigration medical examination services.
This coordinated approach can reduce the need to visit multiple medical offices.
You can learn more about our vaccination and immunization services.
Do You Need to Complete Every Vaccine Series Before Form I-693?
Not necessarily.
Some vaccines require more than one dose, with weeks or months between doses.
The CDC recognizes that applicants may not be able to complete an entire vaccination series before their immigration medical examination.
When a required vaccine series is incomplete, the civil surgeon determines which dose is currently due and documents the vaccination status according to CDC instructions.
In some circumstances, the appropriate dose may be administered during the examination, while later doses are not yet due.
The important issue is whether the required vaccination assessment and documentation have been completed correctly.
Do not assume that an incomplete multi-dose series means your Form I-693 must remain unfinished for several months.
Your civil surgeon can explain the requirements for your specific situation.
What If You Cannot Receive a Required Vaccine for Medical Reasons?
Some applicants have medical conditions that make particular vaccines inappropriate.
Examples may include a documented severe allergy to a vaccine component, certain immune-related conditions, or other recognized contraindications.
A civil surgeon can determine whether a vaccine is medically inappropriate under CDC guidelines.
When an applicable medical reason exists, it must be documented correctly on Form I-693.
Medical Exemptions and Religious Waivers Are Different
There is an important distinction between a vaccine that cannot be administered for medical reasons and an applicant who objects to vaccination on religious or moral grounds.
Medical reasons: The civil surgeon evaluates the condition and documents an applicable reason that the vaccine is not medically appropriate.
Religious or moral objections: A separate immigration waiver process may be necessary. This is a legal determination, not simply a medical exemption issued by the civil surgeon.
Applicants considering a religious or moral waiver should seek advice from a qualified immigration attorney.
The civil surgeon’s responsibility is to complete the medical evaluation and documentation accurately.
Why Correct Vaccination Documentation Matters
The immigration medical examination involves more than receiving vaccinations.
It also requires accurate documentation.
The civil surgeon must determine which vaccines apply, review your records, identify any outstanding requirements, and complete the vaccination section of Form I-693.
Problems may arise when vaccination dates are missing, records cannot be verified, or medical exemptions are not properly documented.
The objective is not to give every applicant every vaccine.
It is to establish and document compliance with the requirements that apply to that individual.
For an overview of the complete medical process, read our USCIS immigration medical examination requirements guide.
Immigration Vaccinations and Medical Exams in Lanham, Maryland
At Maryland Primary & Urgent Care, we understand that immigration applicants want an efficient, affordable, and professionally managed medical examination.
Our practice provides:
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USCIS immigration medical examinations performed by a designated civil surgeon
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Review of vaccination records from the United States and overseas
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Routine laboratory testing, including appropriate immunity testing
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Vaccination services
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Assessment of medically appropriate vaccine exemptions
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Completion of Form I-693 once all applicable requirements are satisfied
Our approach emphasizes practical communication, coordinated services, and respect for patients from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
We welcome adult immigration applicants from Lanham, Greenbelt, Bowie, College Park, Hyattsville, Laurel, Silver Spring, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia.
Book Your Immigration Medical Examination with Dr. Sherif Hassan
Frequently Asked Questions About Green Card Vaccinations
Do I need every vaccine listed by the CDC?
No. Required vaccines are determined according to your age, medical history, vaccination documentation, and the current CDC immigration medical examination guidelines.
Can vaccination records from another country be accepted?
Yes. Acceptable records from overseas may be used if they provide adequate evidence of vaccination. A reliable English translation is helpful when records are in another language.
What happens if I have no vaccination records?
The civil surgeon may recommend vaccination or acceptable laboratory immunity testing, depending on the specific vaccine.
Can blood tests replace missing vaccination records?
For certain vaccines, laboratory evidence of immunity may be accepted. Blood tests do not replace every vaccination requirement.
Is the COVID-19 vaccine required for Form I-693 in 2026?
No. COVID-19 vaccination documentation is no longer required for adjustment-of-status applicants.
Can I receive the required vaccinations during my immigration medical exam?
Maryland Primary & Urgent Care provides vaccination services in conjunction with immigration medical examinations. Vaccine availability and your individual requirements should be confirmed when scheduling.
Do I need to complete every dose of a vaccine series before my medical exam is finalized?
Not always. The CDC provides instructions for documenting vaccination series that cannot be completed immediately because later doses are not yet due.
What happens if a vaccine is medically inappropriate?
The civil surgeon determines whether an applicable medical reason exists and documents it according to CDC requirements.
What should I bring to my immigration medical examination?
Bring a government-issued photo ID, available vaccination records, and relevant medical information.
For a more detailed checklist, see our guide to what to bring to your immigration medical exam.
Complete Your Immigration Vaccination Review with Confidence
You do not need to arrive at your immigration medical examination knowing every CDC vaccination rule.
That is the responsibility of your designated civil surgeon.
What matters is bringing the records you have, explaining your medical history accurately, and allowing the physician to determine which additional steps are necessary.
At Maryland Primary & Urgent Care, Dr. Sherif Hassan provides immigration medical examinations with convenient access to routine laboratory testing, vaccination review, and immunization services.
Our objective is to help patients complete their medical requirements accurately, efficiently, and with clear guidance throughout the process.
Maryland Primary & Urgent Care
9831 Greenbelt Road, Suite 208
Lanham, Maryland 20706
Sherif Hassan, MD
USCIS-Designated Civil Surgeon
Call: 301-277-3555
Schedule Your Form I-693 Immigration Medical Exam
Appointments are required. Please call before visiting.
Medical review: Sherif Hassan, MD
Official references:
CDC — Vaccination Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons
This article is intended for general educational purposes. Vaccination requirements and medical recommendations depend on individual circumstances and applicable CDC and USCIS instructions.