Changes to CDC Vaccination Requirements for Immigrants

28 Feb 2008

A recent update by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding medical examinations for immigrants coming to the U.S. included two new changes. CDC has, first, made changes to the vaccination requirements for applicants examined by a panel physician abroad. The required vaccines include the following:

Age-appropriate vaccination requirements: rotavirus vaccine, hepatitis A vaccine, meningococcal vaccine, human papillomavirus vaccine (women only), and zoster vaccine.
Through 18 years of age: Hepatitis B vaccine.
Ages 6 to 59 months: Influenza vaccine.
Ages 10-64: Acellular pertussis-containing vaccines.

CDC has also noted that their tests for checking tuberculosis in immigrants entering the U.S. is not sufficient. The organization plans to phase in new procedures to be carried out by panel physicians, starting with eight countries the government organization deems most important, The major change includes more robust testing for children under the age of 15. Tuberculin skin tests (TST) will now be required for applicants under the age of 15 in countries with a World Health Organization estimated tuberculosis incidence rate of less than 20 per 100,000. If the applicant has a test rate of 5mm, they will be required to have a chest radiograph. If tuberculosis is suggested by this test, the applicant will be required to take treatment under a directly observed therapy program, prior to entering the U.S