The historic Ellis Island immigration station in New York.

Image: chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

Where to get immigration vaccinations — free and low-cost options

Civil surgeons, county health departments, FQHCs, pharmacies, and the VFC program for free childhood vaccines. Cost comparison by venue for the 11 USCIS-required vaccines. Updated 2026.

Where to get immigration vaccinations

You do NOT have to get all your vaccines from the civil surgeon. Civil surgeons typically charge HIGHER prices for vaccines than other venues. Strategy: get missing vaccines at the cheapest venue first, then bring records to your civil surgeon for the I-693 documentation.

Cheapest to most expensive (typical)

1. County / city health department — FREE or sliding scale

Most US counties operate public health clinics that offer required immigration vaccines on a sliding scale (free to ~$25) regardless of immigration status. Adult immunization clinics are common. No insurance required.

Find yours: search “[your county] health department immunization clinic”
Bring: photo ID, any vaccination records, proof of income (for sliding scale)
Languages: Spanish-speaking staff common in counties with high Hispanic population

2. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) — sliding scale

Community health centers serve everyone regardless of immigration status or insurance. Vaccines on sliding scale based on income.

Find yours: HRSA Find a Health Center (or see Community health centers by state)
No SSN required, no immigration status questions
Spanish interpretation usually available

3. Vaccines for Children (VFC) program — FREE for kids under 19

Federal program providing FREE vaccines for children who are: Medicaid-eligible, uninsured, underinsured, or American Indian/Alaska Native. Administered at pediatricians and FQHCs.

See Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.

4. Pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Costco) — retail pricing

All major pharmacies administer immigration-required vaccines without prescription for adults. Children’s ages vary by state and pharmacy.

CVS / Walgreens MinuteClinic: most adult vaccines, $40–$200/dose
Walmart pharmacy: typically cheaper than CVS/Walgreens
Costco pharmacy: cheapest retail prices (membership NOT required for pharmacy in most states)
Sam’s Club: similar to Costco
Most insurance plans cover at $0; if uninsured, ask for cash price

5. Civil surgeon office — most expensive but convenient

Adding vaccines during your I-693 exam means one visit, but pricing is typically 50–100% higher than retail pharmacy or county health department.

Get vaccines BEFOREHAND if possible. Civil surgeon visit primarily for the exam, TB test, blood work, and stamping the records.

What to bring to your vaccination appointment

Photo ID (passport, consular ID, driver license — any government photo ID works)
All previous vaccination records (yellow international card, US medical records, school immunization records)
Insurance card if you have one (vaccines required for green card are covered as preventive care on ALL ACA-compliant plans at $0)

When records are missing

Born outside US and don’t have your childhood vaccination records?

Try your home country — some health ministries have national immunization registries
Use a blood test (titer) — see notes on individual vaccine pages. MMR, varicella, Hep A, Hep B titers all accepted by USCIS as proof of immunity
Get revaccinated — if neither option works, getting the vaccine series again is safe (no harm from extra doses)

Last verified: 2026-05-25.

General procedural information. Not medical or legal advice.

Consulate of your country in the US — passport renewal, consular ID, document apostille
ITIN — file federal taxes without SSN — required regardless of immigration status
USCIS form library — federal immigration forms (I-130, I-485, N-400, etc.)
Find an immigration attorney — pro bono lists + AILA + BIA-recognized
Know Your Rights — ICE encounters — constitutional protections

USCIS Form I-693 medical exam context (2025-2026)

The USCIS Form I-693 (Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record) is required for adjustment-of-status applicants (Form I-485) and certain refugee/asylee categories. Civil Surgeons designated by USCIS conduct the exam. Find a Civil Surgeon at uscis.gov/tools/find-a-civil-surgeon. Costs range from $100-$500 (with average $200-$350) depending on region — NOT covered by USCIS or any government program.

CDC’s Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons (most recent major update 2023) specify required vaccinations: tetanus-diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap/DTaP), MMR (measles-mumps-rubella), polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza (seasonal), pneumococcal (age-dependent), Hib (children), Hepatitis A + B, rotavirus + meningococcal (children), HPV (age 9-26 catch-up). Adults typically need 4-8 vaccines; full pediatric schedule for children. Form I-693 results are valid for 2 years from signature date.

H.R.1 / OBBBA changes (2026-05-29) did NOT affect I-693 procedures, but USCIS Form Fee changes effective 2026-05-29 may affect related adjustment-of-status processing — verify USCIS Fee Schedule at uscis.gov/g-1055 (Form G-1055) before filing I-485. Tuberculosis (TB) screening required for all I-693 applicants 2+ years old; chest X-ray for positive skin/blood tests.

For Civil Surgeon designation questions or vaccination requirement disputes: USCIS Contact Center 1-800-375-5283 Monday-Friday 8:00am-8:00pm Eastern Time. For sealed I-693 transport (DO NOT OPEN — Civil Surgeon places in sealed envelope; USCIS rejects opened envelopes): submit with I-485 or in response to RFE within 60 days. Lost or expired I-693 requires fresh examination ($$$$ again).

For low-cost / free vaccination sources: community health centers (FQHCs at /benefits/community-health-centers-by-state/) provide vaccines on sliding-fee scale; many counties offer free immunization clinics. CDC Vaccines for Children (VFC) program: 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) for children whose parents/guardians cannot afford vaccines.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I get vaccines for immigration?

From the USCIS civil surgeon doing your exam, a local health department, a community health center, a pharmacy, or your regular doctor. The key is that the vaccines are documented so the civil surgeon can record them on Form I-693.

Can a pharmacy give immigration vaccines?

Yes for many adult vaccines. Pharmacies are often cheaper and faster, and the record they give you can be brought to the civil surgeon — but confirm the civil surgeon will accept that documentation first.

Does the civil surgeon have to give the vaccines?

No. The civil surgeon must review and record your vaccinations, but you can receive the actual shots elsewhere (health department, pharmacy, clinic) and bring proof. This often saves money.

How do I prove vaccines I already received?

Bring any official record — a vaccine card, clinic printout, or school/military immunization record. If records are missing, the civil surgeon can order titer blood tests or simply re-administer the vaccine.

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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.