| Evidence-based recommendations | |
|---|---|
| Measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) | All immigrant/refugee adults without immunization records should be vaccinated using one dose of measles–mumps–rubella vaccine. All immigrant/refugee children should be vaccinated with missing or uncertain vaccination records using age-appropriate vaccination for measles, mumps and rubella.
For unregistered immigrant and refugee children, all Korean public health centers supported national immunization program with around small amount of out-of-pocket money. |
| DTP, polio | All adult immigrants/refugees without immunization records should be vaccinated using a primary series of tetanus, diphtheria and inactivated polio vaccine (three doses), the first of which should include acellular pertussis vaccine(aP). All immigrant children should be vaccinated with missing or uncertain vaccination records using age-appropriate vaccination for diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and polio. For unregistered immigrant and refugee children, all Korean public health centers supported national immunization program with small amount of out-of-pocket money. |
| Varicella | All immigrants/refugees from tropical countries ≥ 13 years of age should be screened for serum varicella antibodies, and vaccinated those found to be susceptible. All immigrants/refugees children < 13 years of age should be vaccinated with varicella vaccine without prior serologic testing.
For unregistered immigrant and refugee children, all Korean public health centers supported national immunization program with small amount of out-of-pocket money. |
| Hepatitis B | All immigrants/refugees adults and children should be screened from countries where the sero-prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus infection is moderate or high (i.e., ≥ 2% positive for hepatitis B surface antigen), such as Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe, for hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-hepatitis B core antibody and anti-hepatitis B surface antibody. Meet a specialist if positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (chronic infection). Get Vaccination if you are susceptible (negative for all three markers).
For unregistered immigrant and refugee children, all Korean public health centers supported national immunization program with small amount of out-of-pocket money. |
| Tuberculosis | Screen children, adolescents < 20 years of aged immigrant and refugees between 20 and 50 years of age from countries with a high incidence of tuberculosis as soon as possible after their arrival in Korea with a tuberculin skin test or interferon-γ release assay
Immigrants/refugees known to be HIV-infected should have tuberculosis screening. If test results are positive, rule out active tuberculosis in nearby public health centers /public hospitals and then treat latent tuberculosis infection. Treatment will be supported through centralized, coordinated TB program in all health centers/public hospitals/red cross hospitals in Korea |
| HIV/AIDS | Screen for your HIV, with informed consent, all adolescents and adults from countries where HIV prevalence is greater than 1% (sub-Saharan Africa, parts of the Caribbean and Thailand).
HIV-positive individuals can be linked to HIV treatment programs and post-test counselling in National Medical Center and Seoul Medical Center. |
| Hepatitis C | Immigrants/refugees should be screened for antibody to hepatitis C virus in from regions with prevalence of disease ≥ 3% (this excludes South Asia, Western Europe, North America, Central America and South America). Meet a specialist if test result is positive. |
| Intestinal parasites | Strongyloides: Immigrants and refugees should be screened if newly arriving from Southeast Asia and Africa with serologic tests for Strongyloides, and treat, if positive, with ivermectin/moxidectin.
Schistosoma: Screen refugees newly arriving from Africa with serologic tests for Schistosoma, and treat, if positive, with praziquantel treatment |
| Malaria | Do not conduct routine screening for malaria. Be alert for symptomatic malaria in migrants who have lived or travelled in malaria-endemic regions within the previous three months (suspect malaria if fever is present or person migrated from sub-Saharan Africa). Visit hospitals for rapid diagnostic testing and thick and thin malaria smears. |