It’s the end of an era for the ubiquitous white COVID-19 vaccination cards, which used to be a critical document during the pandemic. 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.
Between late 2020 and May 10, the federal government shipped over 980 million vaccination cards, according to the latest data from the CDC. However, the discontinuation of these cards is not expected to have a significant impact. The days of carrying them around in purses and wallets for entry into festivals, bars, and restaurants are mostly over. If you still have your card, it remains valid as proof of vaccination. Otherwise, individuals requiring their COVID-19 immunization records will need to request them, similar to other vaccines.
In many cases, the clinic, pharmacy, or health department where the shot was administered can provide these records. Every state and some cities have immunization registries, although rules differ regarding record inclusion and options for obtaining copies. Records from mass vaccination sites set up early in the pandemic should also be available in these registries, depending on state laws. It’s important to note that there is no national registry for immunization records.
In some regions, patients need to give written consent for their records to be included in the registry. Other places, such as Wyoming and Philadelphia, have specific record systems that require vaccine providers to log all vaccinations. Several states offer digital vaccination records online or through an app, allowing users to save a certificate or QR code as proof of vaccination. Some websites even track and notify individuals when they are due for another dose.
Jeff Chorath, who oversees the immunization information system in Washington state, views increased patient record autonomy, particularly with immunization records, as a positive development during the pandemic. Washington offers two digital options for obtaining vaccination records: a comprehensive list of all vaccines recorded in the state database and one specifically for COVID-19 vaccines.
However, not all states have the same digital options, so obtaining records may take longer. Additionally, some state databases may have gaps, especially if individuals received vaccinations from federal health providers, as these records may be kept separately.
Regarding your old vaccination card, it’s advisable to keep it in a safe place, similar to other health records, according to Heidi Gurov, a nurse consultant at the Wyoming Department of Health.
Finally, since the approval of the latest COVID-19 vaccine last month, four million people in the U.S. have received it, with a total of 10 million doses shipped to providers, according to CDC director Dr. Mandy Cohen.
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