Vaccination mandatory for green card applicants: CDC

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US has made vaccination mandatory for green card applicants to clear their immigration medical test to obtain permanent residence permit. The CDC has passed the order in the wake of increasing Covid-19 cases in the US, a report in the Times of India said.

According to the report, starting October 1, 2021, green card applicants are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 pandemic in order to clear their immigration medical test to obtain permanent residence permit in the country.
The rule is applicable to both those who are already in the country on H-1B visa and the applicants at US embassies and consulates.
Proof of covid vaccination with a vaccine authorised for use in the US or listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization is required to be submitted when attending the medical examination.
Applicants must receive the vaccines regardless of evidence of immunity or priorcovid-19 infection.

This vaccination requirement does not cover those applicants who are not eligible owing to the age-limit for vaccines in their jurisdiction or those who can document a medical contraindication.

If an applicant objects to the vaccine on religious or moral grounds, a waiver request has to be made to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS),the report said.