Amit Patel Amit Patel Asked 5 months ago

Is tb vaccine required in usa?

I'm applying for a job in the US and they sent a list of medical checks. It mentioned something about TB. I was wondering, is the TB vaccine required if you're moving to the USA, or is it just certain groups of people who need it?

6

6 answers

Kavita Reddy Kavita Reddy Joined May 2026 5 months ago
Most liked

In India, BCG is common, but for the USA, it's different. They don't routinely vaccinate for TB like we do. You should definitely check with the specific institution or your doctor there, because they usually do a TB skin test instead of requiring the vaccine.

Sameer Khan Sameer Khan Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago

Hey, don't worry too much about it. USA has a different approach to TB compared to India. They don't usually give the BCG vaccine routinely. Instead, they might ask for a TB skin test (PPD) or a blood test, especially for students or immigrants. Just check the official requirements for your visa/school.

Ananya Sharma Ananya Sharma Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago

While we focus on healthy food habits, understanding vaccination needs is also important. For the USA, it's generally not the TB vaccine that's required. They usually rely on TB tests like the PPD skin test or blood tests to check for exposure. Always verify with official sources specific to your situation.

Shreya Menon Shreya Menon Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago

It's totally normal to feel anxious about health requirements when moving to a new country. From what I know, the US doesn't routinely vaccinate for TB. They usually prefer screening tests like the PPD skin test or IGRA blood test. It's best to check with the specific university or immigration office directly.

Powered by

Consult a internal medicine specialist

Rahul Deshmukh Rahul Deshmukh Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago

My doctor told me that in the US, the BCG vaccine for TB is not routinely given because they have a low incidence of TB and prefer to screen with tests. If you've had BCG, it might cause a false positive on a skin test, so they often do a blood test instead. Always best to discuss with a US-based doctor or the institution you're applying to.

Prakash Joshi Prakash Joshi Joined Jan 2026 5 months ago

USA? Oh god, another set of rules to navigate! No, generally they don't require the TB vaccine like we do here. They're more into testing for exposure. So prepare for some skin pricks or blood draws, not another shot, thank god.

Evidence-based health, reviewed by clinicians. Free, weekly.