Immigration and COVID-19 Vaccination

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues through 2021, we have made significant progress against the virus through the use of vaccines. People in the United States now have the option to choose between one of three different vaccines that were approved by the federal government. The vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson are now widely available to everyone at local hospitals, pharmacies, and vaccination stations. While vaccines are now widely available, many immigrants and undocumented noncitizens are skeptical about their ability to get vaccinated without encountering any problems. This quick guide from You Are Home seeks to answer these questions, so you can make the best decisions for your personal health.

ARE IMMIGRANTS ELIGIBLE TO GET VACCINATED?

Yes! Everyone is eligible to be vaccinated, regardless of immigration status. Whether you have a green card, student visa, or no documents at all, you are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Before you are given a vaccine, you will have to answer some health-related questions to ensure that it is safe for you to take. COVID-19 is a problem that everyone in the world is facing, and vaccination is the current best option to ensure against the harmful effects of the virus that has sickened and killed so many across the globe. If you decide against getting the vaccine, it should be for your own personal reasons and not because of a fear of having issues because of your immigration status.

HOW MUCH DOES VACCINATION COST AND WHERE CAN I GET IT?

All COVID-19 vaccines are free either through your health insurance or through a government program that will cover the cost of your vaccine. You should not be asked to pay anything for a COVID-19 vaccine. If you are asked to make a payment of any kind, then the facility administering the vaccines could be breaking the law. You can also now choose which vaccine you want when you set up an appointment (depending on availability). If you select the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, then you will require two appointments for two shots approximately 3 weeks apart. If you select the Moderna vaccine, then you will require two appointments for two shots approximately 4 weeks apart. If you choose the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, then you will only need one appointment as it is a single shot. You can get vaccinated at various pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid), your local hospital, or vaccination site. COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available, and you can make an appointment online or by walking in without an appointment. 

WILL I BE ASKED ABOUT MY IMMIGRATION STATUS?

No, your immigration status is not asked nor is it relevant to your ability to get a vaccine. When you schedule your vaccine appointment, you will simply need to enter your name, address, and birthdate. There are options to add additional personal information such as a Social Security number, but you are not required to add anything additional if you don’t want to. 

HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO GET A VACCINE?

Children as young as 12 years old are eligible to be vaccinated. Currently, the only vaccine that is approved for use in children as young as 12 is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Moderna’s vaccine is currently approved for use for those who are 18 and older, as is Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine. This information will likely change as time passes, so make sure to confirm what is currently available to you or your loved ones. If you have any further questions about vaccine eligibility or need immigration help, then call us at You Are Home so we can help!

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION WITH YOU ARE HOME TODAY!

You Are Home is proud to offer consultations with our immigration attorneys over the phone or videoconference on Zoom during the ongoing pandemic. To set up a consultation with one of our experienced immigration lawyers, you can do so online here. You will be able to have your general questions answered and any of your documents reviewed during this consultation. If you decide to continue to use You Are Home to help you further with your immigration case, then we will credit your consultation fee towards the cost of those services. Get the representation you need, let the experienced attorneys at You Are Home help you earn the legal right to live, work, study, and stay in the United States.