No, asylum seekers aren’t required to receive routine vaccinations at the U.S. border

Many babies, toddlers and teens in the United States receive a series of routine vaccinations to protect them against certain diseases, including polio, chickenpox, measles and whooping cough. But these vaccines are not always accessible in developing countries.

After Title 42's end, and rising concerns of an influx of migrants crossing into the U.S., VERIFY is fielding many questions. VERIFY viewer Cheryl asked our team if people seeking asylum in the U.S. are required to receive routine vaccinations when they arrive at the border.

THE QUESTION

Are people seeking asylum in the U.S. required to receive routine vaccinations at the border?

THE SOURCES

THE ANSWER

No, people seeking asylum in the U.S. are not required to receive routine vaccinations at the border.

WHAT WE FOUND

People seeking asylum in the U.S. are not required to receive routine vaccinations or show proof of vaccination history when they arrive at the border, according to the CDC’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine.

They are, however, required by law to get vaccinated in order to become lawful permanent residents of the U.S. Lawful permanent residents, also known as “green card” holders, are non-citizens who are lawfully authorized to live permanently within the U.S.

“Asylees [asylum seekers] are not required to have any vaccinations to be granted asylum by the United States,” a CDC spokesperson told VERIFY. “However, asylees must comply with the vaccination requirements if they apply for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident.”

When asylum seekers arrive at the U.S. border they are typically given a medical screening to check for any immediate health concerns, but routine vaccinations are not offered by the federal government at the border except under certain circumstances. A measles vaccine, for example, may be required if a person comes from a refugee camp where there has been a measles outbreak.

Asylum seekers may be offered routine vaccines by state or local governments or by their sponsors once settled in the U.S., but they are still not required to receive them unless they want to become lawful permanent residents. Minor children applying for asylum, however, may be required to get vaccinated in order to attend public school.