Immunizations
School Immunization Requirements
Vaccination against the seven childhood diseases — Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, and Polio — as well as Hepatitis A and B and Meningitis, is required by all states for entrance into school (state specific medical or religious exemptions may be considered). Additionally, many states require vaccination against Chicken Pox (Varicella) and TB testing.
Your Health Form/Health Form Addendum* must give the exact month, day, and year of these vaccinations or illnesses. If you do not have this information, you may not be allowed to start school in the U.S. Some states require additional vaccines, such as Hepatitis A and B or Chicken Pox (Varicella).
Your Health Form Addendum* must be completed prior to departure to the U.S. It is important to keep a copy for yourself, give one copy to the AFS office in your country, give one copy to your host family, and give the original to your local volunteer. If you do not have the Health Form Addendum, please contact your local AFS office to request it.
As each U.S. state sets their own requirements for vaccines, this form may not include all immunizations required by a student’s host school. AFS will contact you should we learn of additional vaccination requirements; however, it is your responsibility and that of your parents to verify these requirements via the school’s website, found on Form E of the Host Family Application, or the State Law and Vaccine Requirements site per the below. For information on general vaccination requirements for each U.S. State, go to: https://www.nvic.org/vaccine-laws/state-vaccine-requirements.aspx (Choose your specific state in the tab titled “State Requirements.”).
It is important to understand that if there are any vaccinations that are required for school enrollment, you must comply with these requirements to participate in an AFS program. As part of your admissions process, in preparation for program, you are required to obtain the standard immunizations required by host schools in the US (though in some cases, the host school may require additional immunizations). If you have a situation which restricts you from receiving any vaccines, please reach out to AFS in your home country prior to departure, and to your liaison, once in the U.S.
You can search by state for a baseline of vaccinations needed. Once you are placed, additional immunization(s) could be required by the specific state.
We encourage participants to schedule and receive immunizations before arrival to the USA. Receiving them upon arrival should be a last resort only (or if your home country does not have specific immunization available). Immunizations are not covered by the AFS Medical Plan, and you and your parents will be responsible for any cost associated with them. *
* For YES and FLEX participants, program funds cover the cost of vaccines.
Dental and Eye Exams
The AFS Medical Plan does NOT cover expenses related to routine dental care and vision correction for participants while on the AFS program. Treatment for dental and eye care can be very expensive. Therefore, we recommend that you get complete dental and eye exams before coming to the United States. Should you require such treatment while on the program, your parents will be responsible for the cost. No treatment will be started before your parents have approved the expense and arranged for payment.
* The Health form Addendum form may look slightly different for YES and FLEX students. Confirm the appropriate form with your recruiting organization if needed.