Dose Requirements by Vaccine

The following are the standard dose requirements for the most commonly required immigration vaccines. These requirements apply to adults; pediatric schedules differ.

• MMR: 2 doses total (or positive titer for measles, mumps, and rubella separately)
• Varicella: 2 doses total (or positive titer, or documented history of chickenpox disease)
• Hepatitis B: 3-dose series (or positive anti-HBs titer)
• Hepatitis A: 2-dose series (or positive IgG titer)
• Td/Tdap: 3-dose primary series if never vaccinated; 1 Tdap booster if primary series complete; Td booster every 10 years
• Influenza: 1 dose annually (seasonal)
• Meningococcal (MenACWY): 1–2 doses depending on age and risk factors
• Pneumococcal: 1–2 doses depending on age (required for applicants 65+)
• COVID-19: Primary series (1–2 doses depending on vaccine type)

What If I Have Partial Vaccination Records?

If your records show some but not all required doses, the civil surgeon will credit the documented doses and determine how many additional doses are needed to complete the series.

For example, if your records show 1 dose of MMR, you need 1 more dose to complete the 2-dose series. If your records show 2 doses of hepatitis B, you need 1 more dose to complete the 3-dose series.

Minimum Intervals Between Doses

Doses given too close together may not be counted. The CDC and ACIP have established minimum intervals between doses for each vaccine. If your foreign records show doses given at shorter intervals than recommended, those doses may not be credited and you may need to repeat them.

Common minimum intervals include: MMR doses must be at least 28 days apart; hepatitis B doses must follow the 0, 1–2, 4–6 month schedule; varicella doses must be at least 28 days apart.

Age-Based Requirements

Some vaccines are only required for certain age groups. For example, pneumococcal vaccines are required for applicants aged 65 and older. Meningococcal vaccines are required for applicants aged 11–21 (and certain other groups). The civil surgeon will apply the age-appropriate requirements based on your date of birth.