Green card seekers won’t have to get HPV vaccine

DALLAS (AP) — Immigrant girls and women will no longer have to be vaccinated against a sexually transmitted virus to get their green cards.

Starting Dec. 14, the HPV, or human papillomavirus vaccine will no longer be on the list of immunizations female immigrants ages 11 to 26 must receive before becoming legal permanent residents.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made the change on Friday. The CDC said it will require immunizations for which there is a public health need either at the time the person immigrates or changes their status to green card holder.