Sarah Bennett
There is no straightforward answer to the question of whether migrant children are vaccinated when they come into a country, as it depends on the country in question, the type of visa or asylum status, and the availability of vaccines in the migrant's country of origin. In the United States, for example, there is no requirement for US-bound refugees to be vaccinated before their arrival, and asylum seekers are not required to receive routine vaccinations at the border. However, in certain cases, such as during a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak, refugees may be required to receive specific immunizations before entering the country. Additionally, minor children applying for asylum may be required to get vaccinated in order to attend public school. On the other hand, the Biden administration has vaccinated 20,000 migrants in border custody, including families traveling with minor children, as part of a massive operation. This campaign aims to prepare for the end of Title 42, a policy that allows US officials to expel migrants without processing their asylum claims.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Migrant children vaccinated at the border/in border custody | No |
| Migrant children vaccinated in long-term ICE detention centres | Yes |
| Migrant children vaccinated in Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shelters for unaccompanied children | Yes |
| Migrant children vaccination requirements for school attendance | Yes |
| Migrant children vaccination requirements for permanent residency | Yes |
| Ukrainian refugees vaccination requirements to enter the US | Yes |
| Refugees vaccination requirements before arrival in the US | No |
| Refugees vaccination requirements in settings with vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks | Yes |
| Refugees vaccination requirements before travel to the US | No |
| Asylum seekers vaccination requirements at the border | No |
| Asylum seekers vaccination requirements for permanent residency | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
- Migrant children in the US are not vaccinated against the flu at border camps
- Migrant children may be required to be vaccinated to enrol in public schools
- US-bound refugees are not required to be vaccinated before arrival
- Migrants in border custody have been vaccinated as part of a massive operation
- Migrant children may be required to be vaccinated against polio
Migrant children in the US are not vaccinated against the flu at border camps
In 2019, it was reported that the US would not be vaccinating migrant families against the flu, despite calls from doctors to do so. This was due to the ""short-term nature of CBP holding and the complexities of operating vaccination programs". Overcrowding in migrant facilities was also cited as a reason for the unsanitary conditions that bred infection.
The US government has no plans to vaccinate migrants against the flu, although there have been demands from public health experts and advocates to do so. Migrants who "require" vaccination are referred to local health systems, where they "may receive vaccinations".
While there is no requirement for US-bound refugees or asylum seekers to be vaccinated before entering the country, some may be required to meet vaccination requirements if they want to become lawful permanent residents. This includes minor children who may need to be vaccinated to attend public school.
In recent years, the US has vaccinated migrants in border custody as part of a large-scale vaccination campaign. This has included COVID-19 vaccines for adults and families traveling with minor children.
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Migrant children may be required to be vaccinated to enrol in public schools
In the context of a global pandemic, the Biden administration has undertaken a vaccination campaign for newly arrived immigrants, including migrant children travelling with their families. This initiative aims to protect the health of migrants and prevent the spread of infectious diseases within border facilities. However, this vaccination drive is primarily focused on COVID-19 and does not encompass all routine childhood vaccinations.
The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidelines and recommendations for vaccinations. They advise that all children should receive four doses of the polio vaccine as part of routine immunisations. Additionally, the CDC recommends that individuals with prior vaccination history outside the US should ensure protection against all three types of polioviruses.
State and local governments, as well as sponsors, may offer routine vaccinations to asylum seekers and migrants once they are settled in the US. However, these vaccinations are typically not mandatory for entry into the country. Asylum seekers and migrants are not routinely vaccinated against diseases such as polio, smallpox, or chickenpox when they arrive at the US border.
It is important to note that the requirements for migrant children to enrol in public schools may vary from state to state. In New York, for example, there has been controversy over the enrolment of migrant children in public schools, with some arguing that they should be required to provide proof of vaccination, similar to the requirements for resident children.
In summary, while there is no blanket requirement for migrant children to be vaccinated upon entering the United States, they may need to meet certain vaccination requirements to enrol in public schools, depending on the state and local regulations. The specific vaccination needs of migrant children are influenced by various factors, including their country of origin, health status, and the policies implemented by the governing bodies at the federal, state, and local levels.
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US-bound refugees are not required to be vaccinated before arrival
US-bound refugees are not required to be vaccinated before their arrival in the country. However, they are strongly recommended to receive vaccinations, and vaccines are offered overseas through the Vaccination Program for US-bound Refugees. This program aims to protect the health of refugees, prevent travel delays due to disease outbreaks, and facilitate school enrolment for children after their arrival in the US. The specific vaccines offered depend on age, vaccine history, and eligibility. Refugees may also receive vaccinations through programs run by countries of asylum or in refugee camps.
Upon arrival in the US, clinicians should review all available vaccine records, perform any necessary testing, and provide any required updates or revaccinations. Refugees applying for adjustment of status may complete the vaccination record portion of Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. This form is used to document the vaccination history of the refugee and determine if any additional vaccinations are needed.
It is important to note that during outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, US-bound refugees may be required to receive specific immunizations before travelling to the US. In these situations, guidance is provided directly to panel sites through the CDC and IOM. The vaccination schedule for refugees is updated periodically based on changing recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and advice from CDC subject matter experts.
The ACIP provides guidance on the vaccination of children and adults in the US, including recommended vaccines, how they should be administered, age groups, and the number of doses required. While there is no specific limit to the number of vaccines given during one visit, the decision should be agreed upon by the patient or caregiver and the clinician. Combination vaccines can be used to decrease the number of injections and are useful for catch-up vaccines.
In the context of migrant children in holding centres along the US border, there have been reports of the US not providing flu vaccinations to these children. Overcrowding and unsanitary conditions in these facilities have been identified as contributing factors to the spread of infectious diseases. However, medical personnel are available on-site to provide diagnosis, treatment, and coordination with local health systems for referral and follow-up care.
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Migrants in border custody have been vaccinated as part of a massive operation
The vaccination efforts are designed to protect the health of migrants and the U.S. public health experts and advocates have been demanding flu shots for migrants in border processing facilities for years. The Biden administration is expanding efforts to vaccinate migrants in U.S. custody against the coronavirus as border authorities prepare for potential policy changes that could increase the number of people they need to process.
Migrants who enter U.S. border custody already vaccinated are offered booster shots. Those who cannot demonstrate proof of prior vaccination are counseled to receive a vaccine shot while in CBP custody. The counseling is conducted in the migrant's native language and includes information about the benefits of the vaccine. Migrants who refused vaccination could be transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers or released with stricter conditions of parole.
Unlike immigrants, US-bound refugees are not required to receive vaccinations before arrival in the United States. However, they may receive overseas vaccinations through the Vaccination Program for U.S.-bound Refugees and Visa 93 Applicants. The US government does not vaccinate migrant children against the flu at border camps.
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Migrant children may be required to be vaccinated against polio
However, US-bound refugees are not required to receive vaccinations before their arrival in the country, so they may not be up to date with the recommended immunizations. Refugees may have received vaccines before their displacement, through vaccination programs in refugee camps, or during the overseas health assessment as part of the Vaccination Program for US-Bound Refugees. This program was initiated to protect the health of refugees, prevent travel delays due to disease outbreaks, and allow for rapid integration into schools.
In other countries, such as Iran, studies have shown that there are perceived barriers to vaccinating migrant children against polio, including low knowledge, negative attitudes, communication challenges, and lack of participation in vaccination programs. These factors contribute to low coverage of polio vaccination among migrant children. UNICEF, as a spearheading partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), works to address these barriers and increase acceptance and demand for the polio vaccine among parents and caregivers. They employ SBC strategies, which involve using a mix of communication strategies that fit the social and cultural norms of the area. UNICEF also manages the procurement and distribution of over 1 billion doses of polio vaccines annually, supplying over 50% of global oral polio vaccines.
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Frequently asked questions
Migrant children are not required to be vaccinated when they arrive in the US. However, they may be vaccinated in border facilities as part of a vaccination campaign for newly arrived immigrants.
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for migrants entering the US. However, certain vaccines may be required for those seeking to become lawful permanent residents or attend public school.
COVID-19 vaccines have been offered to migrants in US border facilities. In the past, vaccines against measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and the flu have also been provided.
