ESOne of the mandatory requirements to complete your residency process for the United States is to comply with the vaccination schedule authorized by the CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the U.S. Consulate General. However, many people arrive at their appointment without an official document or vaccination card that proves their vaccination history. This scenario is very frequent; nevertheless, not having a vaccination card or official proof is not a problem to move forward with your process.
If this is your case, at Clínica Médica Internacional we have doctors prepared to help you meet this requirement by administering the corresponding vaccines during your visit, at the same clinic, and as part of your medical exam. It is important to consider the times and costs associated with this additional service.
What happens if you cannot prove your vaccination history?
The medical exam for the American residency visa requires proof that you are vaccinated against a specific list of preventable diseases. This is part of the protocol required for all visa applicants, such as the immigrant visa, permanent residency visa, or adjustment of status.
It is common that many patients arrive at their appointment without any document proving they have been vaccinated, such as a vaccination card or official certificate.
What options do you have if you don’t have your vaccination card?
Instead of postponing your appointment or stopping your immigration process, these are the alternatives available when attending an authorized immigration medical clinic such as Clínica Médica Internacional (CMI), so that you can comply with the standards established by the U.S. Consulate General and the CDC.
Vaccination during your appointment
At CMI you can complete the required schedule the same day of your medical exam, according to your age group and health conditions. Our medical team will evaluate your vaccination card, your age, and will only apply the vaccines you are missing to comply with the United States schedule.
Presenting various official documents
If you have medical prescriptions, official stamped and signed documents, or vaccination cards in photographs as proof, you can present them. Our medical staff will determine if that information is valid and will evaluate the types of vaccines to administer only those necessary to help you complete the American schedule.
Personalized medical evaluation in case of special health condition or contraindication
In case of any medical contraindication or special condition, such as pregnancy or autoimmune diseases, the clinic’s medical team can help you manage specific exceptions, as long as you present documents that support your medical history.
Which vaccines are mandatory for the American visa?
The mandatory vaccines change over time, but in general include:
- Hepatitis A: in children, mandatory up to 18 years old.
- Hepatitis B: in adults, mandatory up to 59 years old.
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR): mandatory for people born in 1957 and later.
- Varicella: mandatory in children and adults.
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis: mandatory in children and adults.
- Influenza: depending on the season, from 6 months and older.
- Pneumococcal: mandatory for those born before 1956.
- Meningococcal: 2 doses; the first between 11 and 15 years old, and the second between 16 and 18 years old.
- Prevnar 13: mandatory in 4 doses: at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and up to 4 years of age.
The application of each vaccine will depend on your age and medical condition, as well as the required doses. Remember that we follow an American vaccination schedule, which may be different from Mexico’s in terms of boosters and type of vaccines.
You can check the official updated vaccine list.
Will I have to pay for the vaccines?
Yes. You must cover the cost of the vaccines administered at the clinic; these costs are not included in the price of the immigration medical exam.
It is important to note that you will be informed of the total number of vaccines you must receive and you will be told the total cost for your authorization. Vaccines are not administered without prior authorization.
What should I bring to my appointment if I don’t have a vaccination card?
Although it is not mandatory to present your vaccination card, it is recommended to bring any official document that may serve as proof to evaluate. This includes:
- Photographs of your Mexican vaccination card (even if incomplete, as long as it contains the applicant’s full information, health institution seal, and photograph).
- Photograph of your American vaccination card on both sides, with complete applicant data.
- Previous medical notes with patient information and the doctor’s professional license number.
- Documents from national health campaigns, always with the institution’s seal and date.
This documentation can help you reduce the number of required vaccines.
How do I know that I am meeting the immigration medical requirements?
Your immigration medical exam includes:
- Complete physical evaluation.
- Vision test.
- General medical history.
- Chest X-ray.
- Laboratory tests.
- Application of necessary vaccines.
Compliance with these steps is verified and recorded by a physician certified by the U.S. Consulate General. All results are delivered in the official format, including the sealed report that you must present at your consular interview.
Final recommendations for those who do not have their vaccination card
Do not postpone your appointment just because you don’t have your vaccination card or cannot prove your history; remember that on the day of your medical appointment we can vaccinate you and thus comply with this requirement.
Consider that the price of vaccines is additional to the medical exam. To plan your total budget, check the cost of vaccines at the official clinics authorized by the American Consulate in Cd. Juárez.
If you are traveling from another city, plan your appointment in advance at https://citasonline.cmi-medical.com/.
Conclusion
Not having your vaccination history is not an impediment to taking your immigration medical exam, but it does require you to be informed and prepared in advance. At Clínica Médica Internacional we offer the necessary vaccines to comply with the schedule required by the United States government, clearly and with professional support.
The process of migrating to the United States requires compliance with very strict protocols. At CMI you can do it reliably, transparently, and efficiently in Cd. Juárez. We guarantee valid and on-time results for your appointment; we are an official clinic authorized by the U.S. Consulate General for 40 years.
Schedule your appointment soon: https://citasonline.cmi-medical.com/