Do I need a flu shot every year for immigration?

The influenza vaccine is required annually during flu season. If your immigration medical exam is during flu season, you need the current season's flu vaccine. If your exam is outside flu season, the flu vaccine is typically not required at that time.

I got a flu shot last month — do I need another one?

If you received the current season's flu vaccine (not last year's), you are covered. Bring documentation of your flu shot to your appointment. If you received last year's flu vaccine, you will need the current season's vaccine.

What if I am allergic to eggs?

Most modern flu vaccines are manufactured without egg protein or with very low egg protein content. Egg-free flu vaccines (Flublok, Flucelvax) are available. Discuss any egg allergy with our Civil Surgeon at your appointment — we can select an appropriate vaccine formulation.

Can children get the nasal spray flu vaccine?

The live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV, nasal spray) is approved for healthy non-pregnant applicants ages 2–49. It is an option for children who prefer to avoid injections. Your Civil Surgeon will determine the appropriate formulation based on your child's age and health status.

Is the flu vaccine included in the flat fee?

Yes. All required vaccines, including influenza, are included in our all-inclusive flat fee. There are no additional charges for vaccines administered at your appointment.

Influenza Vaccine Requirements for Immigration Medical Exams

USCIS Influenza Vaccine Requirement

USCIS requires annual influenza vaccination for all immigration medical exam applicants aged 6 months and older. The influenza vaccine is unique among USCIS-required vaccines because it is seasonal — it is only required during flu season (typically October through March in the Northern Hemisphere).

The specific vaccine formulation changes each year to match the circulating flu strains. This means last year's flu vaccine does not satisfy the current year's requirement — you must receive the current season's formulation.

Key point: The influenza vaccine requirement is seasonal. If your exam is scheduled during flu season (October–March), you will need the current season's flu vaccine.

When Is the Flu Vaccine Required?

Whether you need the flu vaccine depends entirely on when your immigration medical exam is scheduled and whether the current season's vaccine is available.

Flu Season (Oct–Mar)

Flu vaccine required when:

Your exam is scheduled October through March
The current season's influenza vaccine is available
You are 6 months of age or older

Outside Flu Season (Apr–Sep)

Flu vaccine not required when:

Your exam is scheduled April through September
The current season's vaccine is not yet available

Which Flu Vaccines Are Accepted?

USCIS accepts any FDA-approved influenza vaccine for the current flu season. The vaccine must be for the current flu season — last year's flu vaccine does not count, even if you received it recently.

Standard-Dose Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (IIV)

The most common flu vaccine formulation. Administered by injection. Appropriate for most applicants aged 6 months and older.

High-Dose Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (HD-IIV)

Recommended for 65+

Contains four times the antigen of a standard-dose vaccine. Recommended for adults 65 years and older to produce a stronger immune response.

Recombinant Influenza Vaccine (RIV)

Egg-free option

Manufactured without the use of influenza viruses or eggs. An option for applicants with egg allergies. Approved for adults 18 years and older.

Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) — Nasal Spray

Ages 2–49, non-pregnant

Administered as a nasal spray rather than an injection. Approved for healthy, non-pregnant applicants ages 2–49. An option for children who prefer to avoid injections.

Important: The vaccine must be for the current flu season. A flu vaccine from a prior season does not satisfy the USCIS requirement, regardless of when you received it.

Proving Prior Flu Vaccination

If you received the current season's flu vaccine before your appointment, you do not need to receive it again at our clinic. Bring documentation showing:

The vaccine name (e.g., Fluzone, Flublok, FluMist)
The date the vaccine was administered
That it is the current season's formulation

Acceptable documentation includes:

Vaccination record from your doctor or pharmacy

A printed or digital immunization record showing the vaccine name, date, and lot number.

Pharmacy receipt showing flu vaccine

A receipt from CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, or another pharmacy that administered the flu vaccine this season.

Documentation from your employer's flu shot program

Many employers offer annual flu shot programs. A record from your employer's occupational health department is acceptable.

Tip

If you received a flu shot at a pharmacy this season, ask for a printed record. Most pharmacies provide one automatically.

What If You Are Outside Flu Season?

If your immigration medical exam is scheduled between April and September, the influenza vaccine is typically not required. Your Civil Surgeon will note on Form I-693 that the exam was conducted outside flu season.

This notation does not affect the validity of your Form I-693. USCIS understands that the flu vaccine is a seasonal requirement and does not penalize applicants whose exams fall outside flu season.

Scheduling your exam during spring or summer means one less vaccine to worry about. Our clinic is open year-round — call 714-760-4538 to schedule.

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