It’s the end of an era for a once-critical pandemic document: The ubiquitous white COVID-19 vaccination cards are being phased out.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has ceased printing new cards now that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer being distributed by the federal government.
According to the CDC’s latest available data, over 980 million cards were shipped by the federal government between late 2020 and May 10 when the first vaccines were introduced.
While the discontinuation of the cards is not expected to have a major impact, as they are no longer required for entry into venues like festivals, bars, and restaurants, those who possess their cards can still use them as proof of vaccination. Others who need their COVID-19 immunization records will have to request them, similar to other vaccine records.
In most cases, the clinic, pharmacy, or health department where the shot was administered can provide the records. Each state and some cities have an immunization registry, although the protocols for including records and acquiring copies may differ. Records from mass vaccination sites administered during the earlier stages of the pandemic should also be available in these registries, depending on state regulations. National immunization registries do not exist.
For example, Texas mandates patients’ written consent to be included in the registry, according to David Andres Alegria, a spokesperson for the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. Other locations, such as Wyoming and Philadelphia’s city-specific record system, require vaccine providers to log all vaccinations.
Several states offer digital vaccination records through websites or apps. Individuals can save certificates or QR codes as proof of vaccination, and some platforms even track and remind patients of upcoming doses.
“One of the benefits during the pandemic was having increased control over your patient record, particularly the immunization record,” said Jeff Chorath, the manager of Washington state’s immunization information system. Washington state offers two digital options for obtaining vaccination records: a comprehensive list of all vaccines logged in the state database and a specific record dedicated to COVID-19 vaccines.
However, not all states have the same options, so obtaining records may take longer. Additionally, there may be gaps in state databases, particularly if you received your vaccination from a federal health provider that uses a separate tracking system.
As for your old vaccination card, it is advisable to keep it in a secure location, according to Heidi Gurov, a nurse consultant at the Wyoming Department of Health. She recommends treating it like any other health record.
CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen announced today that four million people in the U.S. have received the latest COVID-19 vaccine since its approval last month, and a total of ten million doses have been distributed to healthcare providers.
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