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office of refugee health

Immunizations

Immunizations (or vaccinations) prevent illness.  Immunizations are injected into the body through a needle and contain medicine.   All infants, children and adults need to get immunizations.  You will receive many immunizations. You may have received immunizations overseas, and you will receive more immunizations in the US.  It is important to keep a record of yours and your familyā€™s immunizations.  Use a calendar to record the dates of all immunizations.

Keep your records in a safe place.  Immunizations are needed to enroll in school and to get a ā€œPermanent Residenceā€ card or ā€œgreen cardā€ (I-551).  Remember to bring your immunization record (the yellow card) every time you visit a healthcare provider.

After you have been in the U.S. for one year, you can apply for a ā€œchange of statusā€ from refugee to resident alien.  Your resettlement agency will help you with the paperwork.  You will need to show that each child and each adult has had all of their required immunizations.

 

Adult Immunizations Required for Adjustment of Status

 

ļ»æAge of Applicant

Age Appropriate Vaccinations (and required for immigration purposes)

Birth through 5 weeks

Hepatitis B

6 weeks through 7 weeks

Hepatitis B
Rotavirus

ļ»æ2 months through 5 months

DT, DTaP, or DTP
IPV or OPV (OPV not available in U.S.)
Hib
Hepatitis B
Pneumococcal (PCV)
Rotavirus

6 months through 7 months

DT, DTaP, or DTP
Hib, IPV or OPV (OPV not available in U.S.)
Hepatitis B
Pneumococcal (PCV)
Influenza (during flu season only; October 1 through March 31)
Rotavirus

8 months through 11 months

DT, DTaP, or DTP
IPV or OPV (OPV not available in U.S.)
Hib
Hepatitis B
Pneumococcal (PCV)
Influenza (during flu season only; October 1 through March 31)

12 months through 23 months

DT, DTaP, or DTP,
IPV or OPV (OPV not available in U.S.)
MMR,
Hib,
 Hepatitis B,
Varicella,
Pneumococcal (PCV),
Influenza (during flu season only; October 1 through March 31),
Hepatitis A

2 through 4 years

DT, DTaP, or DTP
IPV or OPV (OPV not available in U.S.)
MMR
Hib
Hepatitis B
Varicella
Pneumococcal (PCV)
Influenza (during flu season only; October 1 through March 31)

5 through 6 years

DT, DTaP, or DTP
IPV or OPV (OPV not available in U.S.)
MMR
Hepatitis B
Varicella
Influenza (during flu season only; October 1 through March 31)

ļ»æ7 through 9 years

Td or Tdap (if DT, DTP, DTaP shown: okay to accept)
IPV or OPV (OPV not available in U.S.)
MMR
Hepatitis B
Varicella
Influenza (during flu season only; October 1 through March 31)

10 years

Td or Tdap (if DT, DTP, DTaP shown: okay to accept)
IPV or OPV (OPV not available in U.S.)
MMR,
Hepatitis B,
Varicella,
Influenza (during flu season only; October 1 through March 31)

11 through 17 years

Td or Tdap (if DT, DTP, DTaP shown: okay to accept)
IPV or OPV (OPV not available in U.S.)
MMR
Hepatitis B
Varicella
Meningococcal
Influenza (during flu season only; October 1 through March 31)

18 years

Td or Tdap (if DT, DTP, DTaP shown: okay to accept)
MMR
Hepatitis B
Varicella
Meningococcal
Influenza (during flu season only; October 1 through March 31)

19 through 26 years

Td or Tdap (if DT, DTP or DTaP shown: okay to accept)
MMR
Varicella

ļ»æ27 through 49 years

Td or Tdap (if DT, DTP or DTaP shown: okay to accept)
MMR
Varicella

ļ»æ50 through 59 years

Td or Tdap (if DT, DTP or DTaP shown: okay to accept)
MMR (if born in 1957 or later)
Varicella,
Influenza (during flu season only; October 1 through March 31)

60 through 64 years

Td or Tdap (if DT, DTP or DTaP shown: okay to accept)
Varicella
Influenza (during flu season only; October 1 through March 31)

65 and older

Td, or Tdap (if DT, DTaP or DTP shown: okay to accept)
Varicella
Pneumococcal (PPV)
Influenza (during flu season only;October 1 through March 31)

 

Please note:

  • You must complete certain immunizations to get your Green Card
  • It may take 6 months to receive all of your immunizations
  • Children must also complete certain immunizations
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