International Adoption: Health Guidance and the Immigration Process

For Parents: Before you Travel Overseas to Bring Your Child Home

CDC recommends that you try to collect health information about your adopted child before you travel to bring him or her home. Any available medical and vaccination records should be shared and discussed with your medical provider here in the United States so that they can be better prepared once your child arrives.

Many vaccine-preventable diseases are more common in the countries of origin of international adoptees. Therefore, family members traveling to pick up the child, as well as close contacts of the child in the United States (e.g., other family members, babysitters) should make sure they are fully vaccinated according to the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Visit these links for more information:

• Vaccination Recommendations
  On CDC Vaccinations and Immunizations site
• Travel preparation for adoptive parents
  In CDC Traveler’s Health Yellow Book