If you are applying for U.S. lawful permanent residence (a green card), you will need to show that you have had all the recommended vaccinations for preventable diseases. Failure to get these vaccinations makes you "inadmissible" to the United States under § 212(a)(1)(A)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.), or 8 U.S.C. § 1182.
Some of the vaccinations are named in the statute. Others are recommended by the U.S. Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP).
There are several vaccinations that are (as of 2024) required for consideration of lawful permanent residence. They are as follows:
Note that this list may change as new vaccines are developed. For example, HPV and zoster vaccines were once required, but no longer. Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for the latest, by looking at its Vaccination page.
Part of the green card application process involves undergoing a medical exam. You will meet with a designated physician (not your own, regular doctor). If you are applying for your green card by adjusting status within the United States, you will choose from a list of local "civil surgeons," and yours will fill out USCIS Form I-693. If you are applying from overseas (doing consular processing), you will choose from a a list of "panel physicians" in your country.
In preparation for your immigration medical exam, you should gather your vaccination records and any test results from your doctor that determined that you are already immune to a particular disease. During the exam, the panel physician will review your record and decide which additional vaccinations you need, given your age and vaccination history.
The panel physician will give you any needed vaccinations at that time and you will be responsible for paying for the vaccinations. The exception is the COVID-19 vaccine, which because it's normally administered in a two-jab series, is best to get done before your immigration medical exam.
You might also want to read, What to Expect at the Green Card Medical Exam.
There are a few exceptions to the green card vaccination requirements, as follows:
Your request for an exception or waiver to the vaccination requirements stands the greatest chance of success if you hire an experienced immigration lawyer to help you with it. The lawyer can evaluate your rights, fill out the required forms on your behalf, add cover letters and/or legal arguments, help you gather the necessary documents, and monitor your case to its conclusion.