Hi-
I am a newbie and I would very much appreciate any insight on this！ I am working on completing my I-693, and I wanted to know if the doctor checked " Applicant may be eligible for blanket waiver(s) as indicated above" because this vaccine is not age appropriate for me, would I still need to file I-601 and pay $547 for the application fee?

Please advise!!

Thanks
Christina

No. The blanket medical waiver is something totally different than the Waivers for Inadmissibility. The blanket medical waiver means you are waived from having to get any of the vaccinations you do not have because they are either medically or age inappropriate. The Civil Surgeon makes that determination and provides the 'request for blanket waiver' on the medical form - it means the vaccinations are waived.

The I-601 waiver is to request a waiver from some tangible reason that makes you inadmissible to the US - things like an overstay of a previous visa, for example. Filing the form asks USCIS to overlook the circumstances that make the individual inadmissible. You can also request a waiver for a medical condition such as AIDS which makes one inadmissible - these are totally different circumstances than a blanket medical waiver which is basically saying you don't need the vaccinations that you don't have and requesting permission to 'waive' the requirement to complete these vaccinations. I-601 waivers are for exceptional circumstances, not the normal circumstances encountered in the immigration process. An USCIS official will advise you at an interview if you require an I- 601 waiver.

Hope this helps.