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Smallpox Alert!

Travel, Immigration & Vaccination
L I N K S :
Travel:
* TRAVEL for US citizens.

* Advice for travel to a "tropical" country.

* Suggestions for healthy travel

IMMIGRATION to the USA:
* IMMIGRATION waiver to vaccination requirements. Requires Form I-601
Form I-601:
Information/links to PDFs: http://www.uscis.gov/i-601

* Main Page 601 with example statement written in. [PDF]
Back Page 601 - - [PDF]
Sample Cover requesting I-601 ... [PDF]
* Forms 601, 602 and 690: Which should be used?

International Adoption

* Medical Exemption for travel to UK/Britain

* Miscellaneous

* LETTER which may be modified and used in conjunction with Immigration vaccination waiver.

* Summary of IMMIGRATION laws regarding waivers to vaccination requirements.

* REFUGEE information

HEALTHY Travel suggestions:
* Suggestions for healthy travel

* Advice for travel to a "tropical" country.

Traveling? You can help us with expenses by booking through a cooperating travel agency

Travel for U.S. Citizens
Immigration and traveling as a citizen of the U.S. are two different things.
International travel is easy. The following is from Walene James' book,
Immunization: The Reality Behind the Myth, p. 226:

"When you receive your passport, it might be wise to request a copy of Foreign Rules and Regulations, Part 71, Title 42, on immunizations. The World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva grants American visitors the right to refuse vaccinations when traveling internationally. Remember the basic rule:
No one will vaccinate you against your will, because by so doing that person assumes full responsibility for the consequences, both legal and medical.

[I would add that the acceptance of responsibility forms on our website could be useful when dealing with a bureaucrat...]

"When traveling abroad, you may secure exemptions from vaccines by using Clause 83 of the International Sanitary Code, issued by the WHO and adopted by all its members. It states, in effect, that only when coming from an infected area are vaccinations necessary or the traveler could be quarantined for up to 14 days from the time he left the infected area if the health department deems it necessary. If you come from an area where there has been an epidemic, you will probably be put under surveillance (close watch). This simply means that together with the local health officer you must keep a close watch for any suspicious signs or symptoms. You will probably be required to report periodically to your local health officer for a period of up to 14 days from the time of departure from the infected area. If you notice an outbreak or symptom, you must immediately turn yourself in and submit to quarantine or isolation.

"In actual practice, not only is this possibility very remote, but if it should occur, the vaccinated person may be required to submit to the same surveillance as the vaccinated! Remember, every year, thousands of 'unimmunized' tourists travel in and out of the United States with little or no inconvenience or embarrassment."


For WHO information, related to travel risks, see:
English: http://www.who.int/ith/en/

WHO recommendations for vaccines, http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2005/9241580364_chap6.pdf
Page 4 of the pdf (page 90 of Ch. 6, International Travel and Halth 2005)

Mandatory vaccination, as authorized by the International Health Regulations, nowadays concerns only yellow fever. Yellow fever vaccination is carried out for two different reasons: (1) to protect the individual in areas where there is a risk of yellow fever infection; and (2) to protect vulnerable countries from importation of the yellow fever virus. Travellers should [WHO's opinion not ours] therefore be vaccinated if they visit a country where there is a risk of exposure to yellow fever. They must be vaccinated if they visit a country that requires yellow fever vaccination as a condition of entry; this condition applies to all travellers who arrive from (including airport transit) a yellow fever endemic country.
   [Our emphasis on should and must was added for clarity.]

Page 33 of PDF(119 of Ch. 6) ,
"Note. Vaccination for personal protection of travellers is not a mandatory requirement."

See page 34, for notes on mandatory vaccination certificates regarding travelers arrving from countries where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission.
Also Meningoccal vaccine in Saudi Arabia for pilgrims visiting Mecca for the Hajj (annual pilgrimage) or for the Umrah.

See page 38 for medical exemption to mandatory yellow fever vaccination.

Page 41 for Table 6.4 Uncommon severe adverse reactions.
Page 42 for Possible adverse reactions. [severe]

Scroll to bottom of WHO page for a PDF or HTML alphabetical list of countries and their vaccination requirements:
English: http://www.who.int/ith/en/

If you must travel to a a Yellow Fever country, see our
* advice for travel to a "tropical" country.
* See also our suggestions for healthy travel

Medical exemption form for the UK and Britain.
Appendix 1:
Exemption from the requirement for an
International Certificate of Vaccination
http://www.nathnac.org/yellow_book/pdfs/appendix1.pdf
Subject: Immigration & Vaccination
Introduction
Immigration – Becoming a U.S.A. citizen
We have had many requests for assistance in immigrating to the U.S. legally while remaining vaccine-free. There are new policies in place and the process is fairly complicated unless you read carefully what we have posted on our website. If you know someone in this situation, please have them review the material we have outlined here at www.vaclib.org/legal/immigration.htm#immigration and then contact us directly for further assistance.

Vaccination Requirements
Date: 11 January 2006

To download:
VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS AND ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS APPLICANTS
Archived copy at http://www.vaclib.org/pdf/generalvac.pdf

LAWS: Chapter 41 Waiver of Excludability for Immigrants.With explanatory notes:
Enter vaccination in the search engine
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis See next Note:

Note: if you want
INA: ACT 212 - GENERAL CLASSES OF ALIENS INELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE VISAS AND INELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION; WAIVERS OF INADMISSIBILLITY
Click this link
or enter this in the search engine:    INA §212(a)(1)(A)(i)
found at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

What if I object to the vaccination requirements because of religious or moral reasons? The third waiver covers those applicants who believe that compliance with the vaccination requirements would be against their religious beliefs or moral convictions. Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Excludability, with fee, is required. You must also meet the following three requirements:
(1) You oppose vaccinations in any form;
(2) The opposition is based on religious beliefs or moral convictions (whether or not as a member of a recognized religion); and
(3) The religious belief or moral conviction is sincere. When the applicant is a child, the parent must meet all of these requirements.
The USCIS page of general Vaccine requirements is pasted below in this web page. Click Here.

Search on Vaccination or other terms:
Enter vaccination or other term in the search engine. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

F O R M S
Immigration Forms and fees:

Information on Forms
Archive of page removed November 30 from internet
Original http://149.101.23.2/graphics/formsfee/forms/forminfo.htm

Immigrants who wish to be exempt from vaccination requirements must fill out this form and pay the Filing Fee.
Form: I-601, Application for Waiver of Ground of Excludability
Information Page: http://www.uscis.gov/i-601
Form I-601: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-601.pdf
Please review the instructions for i-601 before downloading the i-601 form. There may be important changes to the instructions for completing and filing the form.
You will need Adobe Reader to fill, view or print these forms in Portable Document Format (PDF).

July 30, 2007 the Filing Fee is $545. See above link to page of instructions amd note for those exempt to Filing Fee.

To download Form: I-601, Application for Waiver of Ground of Excludability
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-601.pdf

To download an archived document:
VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS AND ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS APPLICANTS
Archived information - Caution may become out of date.

Example of a filled in Form 601 here

Which Form: 601, 602, or 690 should I use?
Use Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility
If you are in a country other than USA and applying for Immigration.
It is also for most immigrants in the USA who are applying for an adjustment of status. See Exceptions below
Q. There is no mention of Vaccination on this document, so how can it be used for the exemption from vaccination?
A. The top of I-601 has a spot where a government officer can check the section under which the waiver is being applied for:
[Vaccination exemption = sect: 212(a)(1)]
Form I-601 can be found at:
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-601.pdf

Use Form I-602, Application by Refugee for Waiver of Grounds of Excludability
if you are a refugee.

Exceptions:
Use Form I-690, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility
1. What Is the Purpose of This Form? 
This form is used to apply for a waiver of inadmissibility by an applicant for adjustment of status under section 245A or 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
What does 210 and 245A refer to?
   210 special agricultural workers 
  245A adjustment of status of certain entrants before January 1, 1982, to that of person admitted for lawful residence
Find form I-690 at:
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-690.pdf
Letter you may modify and include in your INS application

Adoptions:
Exceptions for Orphans, Law 212(g)(L)
http://www.uscis.gov/propub/ProPubVAP.jsp?dockey=bee6dcfbd047cd339e84e0e53a4768d1
exceptions to the vaccination requirements for internationally adopted children 10 years of age or younger

Thirty (30) day tempory waiver for vaccination for International adopted children:
DS-1981 Affidavit Concerning Exemption from Immigration Requirements for a Foreign Adopted Child [ 88 Kb]

When the adoptive or prospective adoptive parent cannot sign the affidavit in good faith because of religious or moral objections to vaccinations, the child will require a waiver under section 212(g)(2)(C) of the Act. The requirements for this waiver are described in Chapter 41.3(b) of this field manual.

Adjudicator's Field Manual - Redacted Public Version

Link to law, short page:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=105_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ73.105.pdf

Long page of good advice from a parent adopting a child from another country and keeping the child vaccine free and free of TB skin tests:
Foreign Adoption, I-130/I-601 and dealing with regulations.

More Information:
Resources Offsite Regarding -
Travel & Immigration Vaccination Information
http://nyvic.org/nyvic/resource/travel.htm



Immigrant: Vaccination Requirements and Exemptions
Summary and some Laws
Summary
    A waiver is available under the new INA §212(g)(2) in the case of an alien:

  1. Who receives vaccination against the vaccine preventable disease or diseases for which the alien failed to present documentation;

    2.
  2. For whom a civil surgeon, medical officer or panel physician certifies, according to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, that such vaccination would not be appropriate; or

  3. .. under such circumstances as the Attorney General provides by regulation, with respect to whom the requirement of such a vaccination would be contrary to the alien's religious beliefs or moral convictions.

    4. [See below for excerpts of INA 212 and links to USCIS.gov website.]

Selected Section of INA Act 212
Click here for http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/ineligibilities/ineligibilities_1364.html
INA: ACT 212 - Classes of Aliens Ineligible to Receive Visas;
Waiver of Ineligibility

Sec. 212. [8 U.S.C. 1182]

(a) Classes of Aliens Ineligible for Visas or Admission.-Except as otherwise provided in this Act, aliens who are inadmissible under the following paragraphs are ineligible to receive visas and ineligible to be admitted to the United States:

(1) Health-related grounds.-

(A) In general.-Any alien-

(ii) except as provided in subparagraph (C) 1a/ who seeks admission as an immigrant, or who seeks adjustment of status to the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, and who has failed to present documentation of having received vaccination against vaccine-preventable diseases, which shall include at least the following diseases: mumps, measles, rubella, polio, tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, pertussis, influenza type B and hepatitis B, and any other vaccinations against vaccine-preventable diseases recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices,

(B) Waiver authorized.-For provision authorizing waiver of certain clauses of subparagraph (A), see subsection (g). [below]

INA 212 (g)
(g) The Attorney General may waive the application of-
(2) subsection (a)(1)(A)(ii) in the case of any alien-

(A) who receives vaccination against the vaccine-preventable disease or diseases for which the alien has failed to present documentation of previous vaccination,

(B) for whom a civil surgeon, medical officer, or panel physician (as those terms are defined by section 34.2 of title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations) certifies according to such regulations as the Secretary of Health and Human Services may prescribe, that such vaccination would not be medically appropriate, or

(C) under such circumstances as the Attorney General provides by regulation, with respect to whom the requirement of such a vaccination would be contrary to the alien's religious beliefs or moral convictions; or

M O R E
This information was posted on January 11, 2006


VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS AND
ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS APPLICANTS

What are the vaccination requirements? They are: mumps, measles, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria toxoids, pertussis, influenza type B, hepatitis B, and any other vaccinations recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP). Current ACIP recommendations also include the varicella, haemophilus influenzae type B, and pneumococcal vaccines. The law requires all individuals applying for status as a lawful permanent resident (either by applying for an immigrant visa abroad or for adjustment of status in the United States) to establish that they have been vaccinated. Nonimmigrant (temporary) visa applicants are not required to comply with the vaccination requirements as a condition of visa issuance, but must comply if they apply for adjustment of status at a later date.

Are there any exceptions? Yes. Orphans age 10 and under who are applying for IR-3 and IR-4 visas at a U.S. consular post are exempt from complying with the vaccination requirements before the visa is issued (but not exempt from the vaccination requirements altogether.) To qualify for the exception, the adoptive parent must sign an affidavit that the child will be vaccinated within 30 days of arrival or at the earliest time that it is medically appropriate. Adoptive parents who are unable to sign the affidavit in good faith because compliance with the vaccination requirements would be against their religious beliefs or moral convictions, must apply for a waiver on behalf of the child.

Are there any waivers available? Yes. There are three types of waivers available. (1) You didn't have all the vaccinations (or all the vaccination certificates) at first, but then receive the missing vaccinations (or find the missing certificates); OR (2) The designated physician (known as civil surgeons for adjustment of status applicants in the United States and as panel physicians for immigrant visa applicants abroad) certifies that it would not be medically appropriate for you to have one or more of the required vaccinations. INS can grant these two waivers based on the civil surgeon's or panel physician's certification on the vaccination supplement. You do not need to file a separate waiver application or pay a fee. Take your vaccination records with you to your medical appointment. The civil surgeon or panel physician will review your vaccination history with you to determine whether you are in compliance. Do not try to comply with these requirements before you meet with the civil surgeon or panel physician, in case it is not medically appropriate for you to have one or more of the required vaccinations.

What if I object to the vaccination requirements because of religious or moral reasons? The third waiver covers those applicants who believe that compliance with the vaccination requirements would be against their religious beliefs or moral convictions. Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Excludability, with fee, is required. You must also meet the following three requirements:
(1) You oppose vaccinations in any form;
(2) The opposition is based on religious beliefs or moral convictions (whether or not as a member of a recognized religion); and
(3) The religious belief or moral conviction is sincere.
When the applicant is a child, the parent must meet all of these requirements. Where can I get the vaccination supplement? The civil surgeons and panel physicians have already received the vaccination supplement and instructions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Your civil surgeon or panel physician should contact CDC directly if he or she did not receive this mailing from CDC or visit CDC's website at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/health.htm.

How do I obtain more information about designated civil surgeons and panel physicians? If you are applying for adjustment of status, you may obtain the names and telephone numbers of civil surgeons in your area by calling the INS National Customer Service Center at: 1-800-375-5283. If you are applying for an immigrant visa abroad, the consular post that will be considering your application will provide you with the names and telephone numbers of the designated panel physicians. For general information, also see [page has disappeared on USCIS] an archive of "Frequently Asked Questions for Form I-693, Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status" at a private law site.





Immigration and Naturalization Service, October 2001.
Headquarters, Adjudications Division.

This form has been archived here:
../pdf/generalvac.pdf



MISC:

Using a Google.com search, the following was found:

at: http://www.visalaw.com/01aug1/12aug101.html

[The following is from an advertisement]
MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN IMMIGRATION LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
...The waiver for communicable diseases is available to spouses, minor children and unmarried sons and daughters of citizens and permanent residents. The waiver for vaccinations is available in one of two ways.

First, a physician can make the determination that the vaccine is medically contraindicated.
The second way is based on religious beliefs or moral convictions that forbid the immigrant from obtaining the vaccination.
Waiver of the physical and mental disorder is also available.

If the waiver is required because of tuberculosis, the following requirements must be satisfied. First, the immigrant must agree that upon admission to the US they will immediately see a doctor to whom they will present medical records relating to their diagnosis. The sponsor of the immigrant must present evidence that arrangements have been made for the immigrant's medical care once in the US. ...

Read rest of page at: http://www.visalaw.com/01aug1/12aug101.html

It might be a good idea to check for the full list of updates at the CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/updates.htm
Updates on the Medical Examination of Aliens ( and Immigrants)

Update: Medical Examination Required for new 'V' Nonimmigrants,
October 2001

The Legal Immigration Family Equity (LIFE) Act of December 2000 created a new nonimmigrant status (V) which allows certain spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents to reside and work in the United States while waiting to obtain immigrant status.

For Civil Surgeons:
Eligible persons living in the United States applying for the 'V' nonimmigrant status are required to have a medical examination (Form I-693) completed by a designated civil surgeon. The vaccination supplement is not required.

For Panel Physicians:
Eligible persons living abroad applying for a 'V' nonimmigrant visa with the Department of State at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate are required to have a medical examination (OF-157 or DS-2053 and worksheets) completed by a panel physician. The vaccination supplement is not required.

Update: Health care provider guidance for HIV and RNA viral load testing on newly arriving immigrants and and returning visitors from Africa or other overseas locations

Certain enzyme immunoassay (EIA, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]) screening and Western blot confirmatory tests used in the United States reliably detect human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection, but not HIV-2 infection. Some HIV infections acquired in Africa, especially West Africa, might be HIV-2, and escape detection using assays optimized for HIV-1. Therefore, health care providers who perform HIV tests on people who might have been exposed in Africa (such as returning visitors or newly arriving immigrants and ) should use EIAs that are licensed for detection of both HIV-1 and HIV-2.

Additionally, most commercially available tests that screen for HIV RNA viral load are effective for HIV-1 subtype B, but not other HIV-1 subtypes (such as A, C, D, or E). Many HIV infections acquired outside the United States might be HIV-1 non-B subtypes. Therefore, when testing people for viral load who might have been exposed in Africa or other overseas locations, assays that are effective for multiple HIV-1 subtypes (HIV-2 viral load tests are not commercially available) should be used.

LETTER #1, see below for Letter #2
The following is a edited and revised version of a letter which resulted in receiving a green card without vaccination. Brackets [ ] indicate areas where you will fill in the item as applies to yourself. Or in the case of the statement about 'religious conversion', 'out of state religious advisor', etc - eliminate if it does not apply.
October 2003
INS

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a personal statement to explain my position regarding immunizations. As a student of natural health I understand the position of the United States Government to protect its citizens from potential dangers from infectious disease. I have submitted to a comprehensive medical exam and have been found to be healthy. Never has my lack of vaccinations been an issue regarding the safety of my fellow employees or the public at large. I have submitted documentation from [country of origin] indicating that I have had naturally most of the childhood illnesses that are required for vaccination. Because I have had these illnesses, I have natural immunity and do not require additional inoculations.

I have lived in the United States as a student on and off for [9] years. This is a wonderful country, and I consider it a privilege to be able to live and work here with my [wife]. One of the things I admire the most about the polices of The United States is the respect of personal liberties. I decline to receive vaccinations based on my religious beliefs. According to my religious convictions I not only decline foreign inoculations into my body, but all medications. [When I was 13 years old my family and I had a religious conversion.] Since that time till today I have relied on God as my Lord and protector.

According to the INS web site from the Headquarters and Adjudication Division, all persons who object to receiving vaccinations based on moral and religious convictions need to submit an I-601 waiver form and pay the $265 filing fee. They indicate that the application must meet three requirements:
(1) You oppose vaccination in any form;
(2) The opposition is based on religious beliefs or moral convictions (whether or not as a member of a recognized religion);
(3) the religious or moral conviction is sincere.

I have submitted this form, complied with the requirement, and paid the $265 fee. In addition to this letter, you will find an attached letter from my local minister in whose church I am an active member[, and a letter from my out of state spiritual adviser in my file.] These letters confirm that receiving vaccination is against my religious beliefs.
     Thank you for your time and consideration.

      [Signature]

[Note: Latest filing fee is $545 ! (July 30, 2007)]
Alternate Example LETTER #2, see above for Letter #1
To Whom It May Concern,

This is a personal statement to explain my position regarding vaccinations. As a registered holistic nutritionist and a student of natural health, I understand the position of the United States Government to protect its citizens from potential dangers. I have submitted to a comprehensive medical exam and have been found to be healthy. I have strong spiritual/religious convictions about the natural care of the temple that is my body and every day of my life is spent in devotion to keeping my spiritual physical being healthy and naturally immune to disease. I have received some vaccines as a child and as a young adult. Since that time my religious and spiritual convictions have become stronger and I am strongly devoted to God and to keeping my body free from anything that is not from God. From my previous inoculations and from the years and years of healthy devotion to the basic natural laws of health I do not need any further vaccinations.

I have recently married a wonderful man who is a United States citizen by birth. The United States of America is a wonderful country, and I consider it a privilege to be going through the process to be able to live here with my husband. One of the things I admire most about the policies of The United States is the respect of personal liberties. I decline to receive vaccinations based on my spiritual and religious beliefs. I am a vegan who does not consume animal products and eats mostly raw natural foods. I not only decline inoculations into my body but also refuse the intake of all medications and synthetic additives and preservatives. I rely on God and God’s natural whole foods to protect and keep me strong.

According to the Department of Homeland Security and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website, all persons who object to receiving vaccinations based on moral and religious convictions need to submit an I-601 waiver form and pay the $545 filing fee. They indicate that the applicant must meet three requirements:
(1) You oppose vaccination in any form;
(2) The opposition is based on religious beliefs or moral convictions (whether or not as a member of a recognized religion);
(3) the religious or moral conviction is sincere.

I have submitted this I-601 form, meet the requirements and paid the $545 filing fee. I have also attached 3 letters from persons who can attest that receiving vaccinations is against my spiritual and religious beliefs.

Thank you for your time and consideration,
_________________ (signature and contact info) ***get this letter notarized
And here is one of the letters submitted by a close friend;

To Whom It May Concern,

I am a close friend of ____________ and have known her well for many years. In all the time that I have known _______ it is her strong convictions towards her beliefs that have made her a beautifully spiritual being and a healthy inspiration to others.

She has strong devotional beliefs to her spirituality and religion. These beliefs include treating her body by the basic laws of God and Nature and not ingesting anything that is chemically, synthetically produced or produced using animals.

For all the time that I have been close to _________, I have always known her to adamantly refuse the idea of vaccines or of taking any medications at all. She relies on her spirituality and her devotion to the laws of Nature/God to guide, protect and heal her.

_________ has asked me write this letter to support her form to waive vaccinations and I have no problem doing this as I know that getting vaccinations would go against all that she believes and is religiously devoted to.

Thank you for your time,

(signature) with contact info


Refugees
http://uscis.gov/
  • Refugees. Individuals outside of the United States applying for admission as refugees must undergo a medical exam, but they are not required to comply with the vaccination requirements at that time. [But will have to comply later.]

    uscis.gov/
    VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR REFUGEES AND SALLIES APPLYING FOR ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES

    What about refugees who object to the vaccination requirements because of religious or moral reasons?
    If complying with the vaccination requirements would be against your religious beliefs or moral convictions, INS can also consider this as a humanitarian reason for granting the waiver. You must apply for the waiver by using a separate form, Form I-602, Application by Refugee for Waiver of Grounds of Excludability, but you do not need to pay a fee. In this case, you will need to show that:
    (1) you are opposed to vaccinations in any form;
    (2) you object because of religious or moral reasons; and
    (3) your objection is sincere.
    If you believe there is any other humanitarian reason why INS should waive the vaccination requirements for you, you need to submit Form I-602 with your adjustment of status application.
    The full page (refugeevacc.pdf) is pasted below.

    [This document has been copied/pasted on January 11, 2006 from uscis.gov/graphics/refugeevacc.pdf]

    VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLEES APPLYING
    FOR ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES
    What are the vaccination requirements? They are: mumps, measles, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria toxoids, pertussis, influenza type B, hepatitis B, and any other vaccinations recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP). Current ACIP recommendations also include the varicella, haemophilus influenzae type B, and pneumococcal vaccines.

    How do the vaccination requirements affect refugees?Refugees are not required to comply with the vaccination requirements during the initial medical exam overseas. They must, however, comply when they apply for adjustment of status after they have been admitted to the United States. INS regulations state that refugees applying for adjustment of status at least 1 year after their initial admission are not required to repeat the entire medical examination performed overseas, unless there were medical grounds of inadmissibility (Class A medical conditions) that arose at that time. As a result, refugees generally need only the vaccination sign-off (not the whole medical exam) when they apply for adjustment of status. This vaccination sign-off must be obtained by an INS-designated civil surgeon. For information on finding an INS-designated civil surgeon, see "Designated Civil Surgeons."

    How do the vaccination requirements affect asylees? Asylees applying for adjustment of status at least 1 year after the asylum application was approved are required to have the entire medical exam, including the vaccination assessment, by a designated civil surgeon. This is because asylees are not required to undergo any medical examination as part of their asylum application. To obtain the name and number of individual physicians in your area that are designated civil surgeons, you may call the INS National Customer Service Center at: 1-800-375- 5283. How do refugees obtain the vaccination sign-off to complete their adjustment of status application? The vaccination sign-off must be obtained from a civil surgeon. To make this process easier for refugees, INS has designated all state and local health departments as civil surgeons for those refugees who need only the vaccination sign-off. Participation by the health departments is voluntary. Contact your local voluntary agency or your refugee health program at the local or state level for more information.

    What happens to refugees and asylees who do not have all the vaccinations, cannot prove they have them, or object to vaccinations? INS is authorized to grant these waivers for humanitarian reasons, to assure family unity, or when it would otherwise be in the public interest.

    How do refugees and asylees apply for a waiver of the vaccination requirements, if they need one? INS has made it very easy to apply for the waiver. INS will grant the waiver without a separate application if: (1) you didn't have all the vaccinations (or all the vaccination certificates) at first, but then receive the missing vaccinations, or find the missing certificates OR (2) the civil surgeon certifies that it would not be medically appropriate for you to have one or more of the required vaccinations. These are two examples of humanitarian reasons for granting the waiver. The civil surgeon will review your vaccination history with you to determine whether you have all the required vaccinations. Make sure you take your vaccination records with you to your medical appointment. Do not try to comply with these requirements before you meet with the civil surgeon, in case it is not medically appropriate for you to have one or more of the required vaccinations

    What about refugees who object to the vaccination requirements because of religious or moral reasons?
    If complying with the vaccination requirements would be against your religious beliefs or moral convictions, INS can also consider this as a humanitarian reason for granting the waiver. You must apply for the waiver by using a separate form, Form I-602, Application by Refugee for Waiver of Grounds of Excludability, but you do not need to pay a fee. In this case, you will need to show that:
    (1) you are opposed to vaccinations in any form;
    (2) you object because of religious or moral reasons; and
    (3) your objection is sincere.
    If you believe there is any other humanitarian reason why INS should waive the vaccination requirements for you, you need to submit Form I-602 with your adjustment of status application.



    Immigration and Naturalization Service October 2001.
    Headquarters Adjudications Division

    Source of form i-602
    http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-602.pdf

    • Common Sense suggestions for Healthy Traveling
    Travel Vaccines
    First of all, vaccines recommended for travel, like other vaccines, have never been tested in the field for efficacy, let alone undergone long-term safety tests. We have received stories from travel vaccine recipients who end up with rare blood disorders, autoimmune diseases and/or cancer and either die as a result, or never quite recover their former robust health. Avoid them.

    Where water may be contaminated
    Bottled water, in some cases, may be contaminated. A little 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide added to all water will go a long way in making drinking water safe. [Take along a pint of food grade hydrogen peroxide.] Food grade hydrogen peroxide is very strong and should be diluted to a 3% solution before using. Then take the 3% solution and add 3 drops per quart of water or 12 drops per gallon. It is also good to travel with a small portable carbon filter.

    Cayenne pepper taken with each meal will help the body handle any food slightly contaminated by dirty water. If you do not handle spicy food well, travel with cayenne pepper capsules and take 2-3 capsules with each meal.

    We also highly recommend traveling with a pound of sodium ascorbate or vitamin C in powder form. Taking up to 10 grams a day in juice or water will give you a strong immune system boost and prevent you from “catching” whatever bug may be going around.

    Hydrogen peroxide treated water is also good as a final wash on all fruits and vegetables, especially if you are unsure about the sanitation of the water.

    Mosquitoes
    Regarding mosquitoes, the best internal insect repellent is B-complex and B-2 (riboflavin) in particular. It is also reported that eating lots of raw garlic repels mosquitoes, however, eating a lot of raw garlic tends to repel people, too! Avoid all refined carbohydrates and sugars -- the mosquitoes seem drawn to people who consume refined carbohydrates and white sugar in particular.

    Traveling to a foreign, “tropical” country without vaccines
    Recent Letter

    VacLib’s travel and immigration pages were recently updated since there are a few changes and clarifications that needed to be made. It is important to know that there are no vaccines that are mandatory for travel unless you are traveling from one “yellow fever” country to another “yellow fever” country. For instance, if you are traveling to one country in South America from the U.S. and leaving that same country and returning to the U.S.A. or some non-yellow fever country, you can legally remain vaccine-free. However, we recently dealt with a vegan vegetarian man who was traveling to Peru and then to Brazil. In this situation, it would be very difficult to remain vaccine-free. Following is the advice we gave to “Michael” who most definitely was determined to remain vaccine-free.

    Go to this link -- Chapter 6, p.90 of International Travel and Health 2005 -- WHO publication http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2005/9241580364_chap6.pdf  

    Page 90 states: Mandatory vaccination, as authorized by International Health Regulations, nowadays concerns only yellow fever.  

    Link to the entire booklet in pdf is http://www.who.int/ith/en/    The following is the description of the document.  

    "International travel and health" is a WHO publication that offers guidance on the full range of health risks likely to be encountered at specific destinations and associated with different types of travel – from business, humanitarian and leisure travel to backpacking and adventure tours. The guidance is intended to help the medical profession to be fully aware of potential risks and to provide appropriate advice, whether this concerns recommended vaccinations, protection against insects and other disease vectors, or safety in different environmental settings.  

    Michael, since the booklet refers to vaccination and not immunization, we suggest you: 
    1) travel with the vaccine package insert to yellow fever, noting that you are a vegan vegetarian, raw foodist and putting a product cultured in animal tissue is a violation of your religious beliefs since it contaminates the body temple with animal products, specifically chick embryos. http://www.whale.to/a/p/yfvax.pdf
    2) tell the bureaucrat that the homeopathic nosode has been shown to be protective against yellow fever. Make sure you have a signed letter from your homeopath confirming that you have taken this particular nosode.
    3) go to the following link for the Acceptance of Medical Responsibility form. This is a last ditch resort. When you show them the contraindications and adverse reactions in the package insert, along with your emphatic insistence that you are a vegan vegetarian and had "allergic reactions to eggs as a child" (-- also a last ditch effort), and they still are insistent, then use this form, modified for your purposes. http://www.vaclib.org/legal/accept1.htm  

    Michael, please keep in touch with us. Your success may be helpful for others in a similar predicament. Unless more of us assert our most fundamental of human rights -- the right to decide what will or will not be injected into our bodies -- then we will have essentially participated in allowing medical martial law to "infect" the masses.  

    Thanks so much for your diligence in protecting your health on your South American venture. Your assertive stance is very much appreciated by all of us!

    In the Spirit of Truth,
    Ingri Cassel, director
    Vaccination Liberation
    Others' travel experiences without vaccination:
    Shot-free in India by Julie Jones Ford
    New Yorkers for Vaccination Information and Choice
    Vaccination Liberation - Idaho Chapter
    Contact: Vaccination Liberation

    "Free Your Mind....From The Vaccine Paradigm"
    www.vaclib.org