Removal of the Immigrant HPV Vaccine Mandate

Priscilla Huang of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum:

At long last, I’m excited to report to you that the CDC will be publishing final notice of its criteria for vaccination requirements for U.S. immigration purposes in the Federal Register on November 13.  http://federalregister.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2009-27317_PI.pdf

After the standard 30 day implementation period, the HPV vaccine
and Zoster vaccine will no longer be required for immigration purposes, and the updated vaccination requirements will be listed in the Technical Instructions. Once effective, the CDC will continue to require the vaccinations listed in section 212(a)(1)(A)(ii), and for all other ACIP-recommended vaccinations for the general public, the CDC will only require those for which there is a “public need at the time of immigration/change of status” based on the following criteria:

1. The vaccine must be an age-appropriate vaccine as recommended by the ACIP for the general U.S. population, AND 

2. At least one of the following:
a. The vaccine must protect against a disease that has the potential to cause an outbreak.
b. The vaccine must protect against a disease that has been eliminated in the United States or is in the process for elimination in the United States.

This is a tremendous victory for immigrant women and girls! Thank you all for your support, commitment and continuing advocacy on removing the mandate. Our comment submissions in support of the criteria made a difference (you’ll see from the notice that there were a number of submissions against removal of the immigrant HPV vaccine requirement), and we should all celebrate the lifting of the mandate as a significant achievement.

In gratitude and solidarity,
Priscilla

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