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From Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2022, 2,431 individuals who resettled in Minnesota received services through our program. This included 587 people who came through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) and 1,708 who received humanitarian parole in the U.S. from Ukraine or Afghanistan.
Although not required, U.S.-bound refugees who arrive through USRAP are often offered some vaccines overseas through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vaccination Program for U.S.-Bound Refugees. However, many may not be fully up to date with the Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended immunization schedule at time of arrival. Most refugees are due for at least one immunization upon arrival to the U.S.
Among the 587 people who arrived in Minnesota in 2022 on a refugee visa, 581 received a post-arrival refugee health assessment (RHA). The country of origin among the 581 who received an RHA is described in the figure below.
Five-hundred eighty (>99%) of those who had an RHA received at least one immunization overseas and 459 (79%) received at least one immunization in Minnesota from time of arrival through the completion of their RHA (Table 1).
Many adult refugees who arrive in Minnesota are due for at least a Tdap vaccine, annual flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, and/or completion of a vaccination series that was started overseas (i.e., hepatitis B). Newly arrived refugee children are often due for vaccinations not routinely given as part of the Vaccination Program for U.S.-Bound Refugees (i.e., hepatitis A, Hib), annual flu vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, and/or completion of a vaccination series that was started overseas. The Minnesota Department of Health Refugee Health Program is working with clinics and local public health to identify any barriers and best approaches to vaccinating new arrivals in the U.S.
Country of Origin among Primary Refugees to Minnesota who received a Refugee Health Assessment, 2022
Other includes Ukraine, Moldova, Syria, Sudan, El Salvador, Tajikistan, Bhutan, Iran, Rwanda, Eritrea, and Nicaragua
Table 1: Immunizations Received by Primary Refugees to Minnesota who received a Refugee Health Assessment*, 2022
|
Age at U.S. Arrival
|
1+ Immunizations
Received Overseas (%)
|
1+ Immunizations
Received in
Minnesota** (%)
|
|
<18 years
(217)
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217 (100%)
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188 (87%)
|
|
18+ years
(364)
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363 (>99%)
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271 (74%)
|
|
Total
(581)
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580 (>99%)
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459 (79%)
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*Medical exam generally conducted within 90 days of U.S. arrival by public health clinics and/or private providers
**Received 1+ immunizations in Minnesota from the time of U.S. arrival up through completion of their RHA
Minnesota continues to receive a small number of families through Welcome Corps, the private refugee sponsorship program launched in early 2023. The strong resettlement partnerships across the state remain key in supporting these new arrivals and sponsors. In December 2023, Welcome Corps expanded to allow private sponsor groups to sponsor specific individuals, including family members.
To learn more about Welcome Corps and private sponsorship groups, visit Sponsor A Refugee You Know. For assistance with applications, visit Application Support Session. For resources regarding supporting Welcome Corps arrivals, visit State-by-State Resources for Newcomers and Sponsors.
MDH’s Infectious Disease Equity and Engagement Team is excited to share new travelers’ health posters from our partnership with Minneapolis College’s graphic design students. MDH selected and contracted with four finalists from the class. The posters contain information to help travelers stay safe as well as reminders for health care professionals when seeing patients traveling internationally. Posters can be shared electronically and printed out. If you would like to request printed posters, please email health.idee@state.mn.us.
Access posters at Materials and Resources: International Travel and Infectious Disease
North American Refugee Health Conference
In honor of Minnesota’s historic leadership in U.S. refugee health care, the North American Refugee Health Conference (NARHC) will be held in Minneapolis from Aug. 5 to 7, 2024. NARHC brings together a diverse group of people interested or working in the field of refugee, immigrant, and newcomer health. Attendees learn about the latest and best practices in refugee and immigrant health and network with other people in the field. Two free pre-courses, An Introduction to Refugee Health and Afghan Women’s Health, will be held Aug. 4, 2024. Abstract submissions are open now through April 1, 2024. Registration details and more information is available at NARHC Conference.
 Submit Your Organization to Our Directories for Organizations Serving Diverse Communities
The Minnesota Department of Health Refugee Health Program and Infectious Disease Equity and Engagement Unit maintain three directories for organizations serving diverse communities:
- Health Services Directory
- Diverse Media Directory
- Community-Based Organizations Directory
These directories are used by many state agencies, organizations, and community partners. We hope you consider having your organization listed in one of the three directories, if applicable!
We are beginning the process of updating all three directories and are requesting that community organizations and vendors do the following:
- If your organization is already in the appropriate directory, please check to verify that your information is updated and correct through one of the links above. If anything needs to change, please submit your information using Update Directory Information.
- If your organization is not listed and you would like it to be, please submit your information using Update Directory Information.
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