On-Site Immunizations to Keep Your Green Card Application on Track
U.S. immigration law requires most green card and immigrant visa applicants to undergo a medical exam and to document that they have received certain age‑appropriate vaccines. If you do not have acceptable written proof or laboratory evidence of immunity, the civil surgeon must ensure that you receive at least one dose of each required age‑appropriate vaccine (either during your exam visit or via referral) and document it on Form I‑693 before the form can be completed. At Rock Medical PC, our Jamaica, Queens immigration medical exam provider administers required vaccinations on-site and reviews your existing records to determine exactly which immunizations you need for Form I-693.
Why Choose Rock Medical PC for Immigration Vaccinations
Rock Medical PC provides vaccination services as part of our comprehensive immigration medical exams, backed by years of experience with USCIS requirements. Reasons patients throughout Jamaica, Queens trust our practice include:
- USCIS-designated certified civil surgeon on staff
- On-site administration of required vaccines including Tdap and influenza
- Immunity testing (titer blood work) for MMR and varicella to help determine whether additional vaccinations are needed
- Multilingual staff for clear communication throughout the process
- Convenient Jamaica, Queens location near public transit with flexible scheduling
Our team works to get your vaccination record right the first time so that incomplete paperwork does not slow down your immigration case.
Which Vaccines Are Required for the Immigration Medical Exam?
Under U.S. immigration law, applicants who apply for an immigrant visa or seek to adjust status to lawful permanent resident are required to receive vaccinations to prevent certain diseases. The CDC has specific criteria to determine which vaccines applicants are required to show proof of having received. The specific vaccines you need depend on your age, medical history, and existing immunization records.
For most adults between 18 and 64 years of age, the commonly required vaccinations for the Form I-693 exam include:
- Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)
- MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) for those born in 1957 or later
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Hepatitis B (through age 59)
- Polio (IPV)
- Influenza (seasonal, required during flu season only)
COVID‑19 vaccination is no longer required as part of the green card medical exam. For adjustment‑of‑status applicants in the United States, USCIS announced that effective January 22, 2025, it is waiving any requirement that Form I‑693 include documentation of COVID‑19 vaccination and will not deny adjustment applications on that basis.
You are required to document receipt of vaccines that are age appropriate for you. Your civil surgeon will review your records and let you know which vaccinations apply to your situation.
What Vaccinations Does Rock Medical PC Provide On-Site?
At our Jamaica, Queens clinic, Rock Medical PC administers the vaccinations most commonly needed during the immigration medical exam. The Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) and the flu vaccine (required from October 1st to March 31st) are included in the exam.
Tdap Vaccine
The Tdap/Td vaccine is routinely required as an age‑appropriate vaccination for most immigration medical exam applicants, unless a medical or other qualifying waiver applies. The CDC recommends that adults receive a tetanus and diphtheria (Td or Tdap) booster every 10 years, and civil surgeons use these ACIP‑based recommendations when determining if you need an updated dose for Form I‑693. If your tetanus/diphtheria vaccination is not current under these guidelines, the civil surgeon will generally administer a booster during your visit.
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine
The flu vaccination is only available during flu season, which for Form I-693 purposes commences annually on October 1 and runs through March 31. If your exam takes place during these months, the flu vaccine is required and is administered at our office. Appointments outside flu season do not require this vaccination.
MMR and Varicella Vaccinations
Our clinic also performs on-site lab testing to check your immunity levels for MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) and varicella (chickenpox). Laboratory evidence of immunity is acceptable for measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, polio, and varicella if the applicant lacks acceptable documented history of vaccination for these diseases.
If you lack immunity for MMR or varicella, Rock Medical PC can provide vaccinations at an additional cost.
What If I Already Have Some Vaccinations?
Many immigration applicants arrive with partial vaccination records or documentation from their home country. The civil surgeon will review your vaccination records at the time of your immigration medical examination to see whether you have proof of required vaccinations that are appropriate for your age category. It is important that you bring any written vaccination documentation you may have.
If your records are incomplete or unavailable, there are two common options. A titer test, which is a blood draw that checks for antibodies, can confirm whether you already have immunity to diseases like MMR, varicella, and hepatitis B. A titer test checks for the presence of antibodies, which are proteins your immune system produces in response to infections or vaccinations. If titers show that you are already immune, you may not need additional doses of those vaccines.
Applicants are required to receive from the civil surgeon at least one dose of each age-appropriate vaccine for which the applicant is not currently up to date. However, completing an entire multi-dose series is not required before your Form I-693 can be finalized. Your civil surgeon will document the first dose on the form, and you are encouraged to complete the remaining doses on the recommended schedule.
What Should I Bring to My Vaccination Appointment?
Preparation is one of the most effective ways to streamline your immigration medical exam and reduce the chance of needing a follow-up visit. When you come to Rock Medical PC in Jamaica, Queens, plan to bring the following:
- A valid government-issued photo ID (passport or driver’s license)
- Any vaccination records you have, including those from your home country
- Medical records showing prior diagnoses, treatments, or lab results
- A list of any medications you are currently taking
- Your insurance information, if applicable
Acceptable vaccination documentation must come from a vaccination record, either a personal record or a copy of a medical chart with entries made by a physician. Only records that include the dates of receipt (month, day, and year) are acceptable. The document must not appear to have been altered, and dates should seem reasonable. Self-reported vaccine doses without written documentation are not acceptable.
Bringing complete records to your first appointment helps our civil surgeon accurately assess your vaccination status and may reduce the need for additional tests or visits.
Schedule Your Immigration Vaccination Appointment in Jamaica, Queens
Staying current on required vaccinations is an important step in completing your immigration medical exam without unnecessary delays. Rock Medical PC is here to guide you through the process with on-site immunizations, immunity testing, and accurate Form I-693 completion. Contact us to book your appointment.
Are waivers available if I cannot receive a required vaccine?
If receiving a vaccine is not medically appropriate, the civil surgeon should indicate this on Form I-693 in the appropriate boxes, and USCIS will then waive that vaccine. Medical contraindications, such as pregnancy or a condition that prevents safe vaccination, may qualify you for a blanket waiver. Religious or moral objection waivers may also be available, though approval is determined by USCIS on a case-by-case basis.
How long is my Form I-693 valid after the vaccination assessment?
For Form I‑693 signed before Nov. 1, 2023, USCIS generally treats the medical exam as valid for two years from the civil surgeon’s signature date. For exams signed on or after Nov. 1, 2023, USCIS policy provides that a properly completed Form I‑693 does not have a fixed expiration date and can be used indefinitely as evidence of your admissibility on health‑related grounds, so long as it remains associated with a pending immigration application and USCIS has no reason to believe your medical condition has changed. Always check current USCIS instructions for the latest validity rules.
USCIS has also updated its I‑485 instructions so that many applicants are now required to file Form I‑693 at the same time as Form I‑485, and USCIS may reject an I‑485 if a required medical exam is not submitted concurrently. Planning your exam within a reasonable window before filing helps ensure your form remains valid throughout the adjudication process.
Do I need to complete a full vaccine series before my I-693 form can be finalized?
No. Applicants need to get only one dose of each vaccine during their medical exam; however, applicants are encouraged to get other doses of a vaccine to finish each series. Your civil surgeon will administer the dose that is due at the time of your visit and document it on the form. Following up with your primary care provider to complete remaining doses is strongly recommended for full protection.
This information is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare provider about your individual vaccination needs.
