More than 100 million Americans received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot. The proof? A 4-to-3-inch paper “vaccination record card” issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In a post-pandemic world, the humble card for those who are fully vaccinated can become an important document used for travel, attending events, returning to the post-pandemic office, and other purposes. Here’s what experts say you need to know about vaccination cards.
Photo of your record card
The first thing experts recommend once you have been vaccinated is to take a digital photo of both sides of your personal record card. You can also scan the card and save the file to a laptop or desk, said Megan Ranney, an emergency physician at Rhode Island Hospital and associate professor at Brown University.
One thing you should not do: share your personal proof of vaccination on Facebook or other social media sites, which can lead to identity theft because the CDC card includes the person’s date of birth as well as first name and last name.
“I would not post it on social media with my birthday. It is a unique identification with which someone can possibly steal your identity, so I will first guard against it,” said epidemiologist Danielle Ompad, a professor at the NYU School of Global Public Health, told CBS MoneyWatch.
Instead, you may want to print a copy of the vaccination photo and keep it in your wallet. While some experts advise against laminating the original card so that the links of the vaccine can be added if needed, others say it is good because a more sophisticated record-keeping system is likely to be present.
“I will laminate it, because by the time an amplifier arrives, the technology will have evolved,” said dr. Maureen Miller, a professor of epidemiology, at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.
You can have your card laminated for free at the Staples office supply store using the code 81450 or at Office Depot with code 52516714.
Leave the original at home
Make sure you keep the original hard copy of your vaccination card safe somewhere. You do not have to keep it on your person at all times, and you may lose it. Experts recommend that the original material be kept with other important documents or medical records and that the digital copy be attached.
“It does not have to be worn at all times unless you are traveling or doing something else for which you have to prove the vaccination,” Ranney said.
Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Safety, said he keeps his vaccination record in his passport (along with a card showing he was vaccinated against yellow fever).
Inform your GP that you have received the vaccine, as with any other vaccination. It helps healthcare providers ensure that your record of vaccinations is up to date.
Not everyone followed the advice of experts to store the entry records safely. The University of Illinois gymnast Evan Manivong recently nailed a perfect landing during a vault match – and celebrated by pulling out his vaccine card tucked into his leotard and flashing it to the audience. “Go get everyone vaccinated!” tweeted the 20-year-old advertising major later. Videos of the magical moment went viral this week.
What happens if I lose it?
Do not panic if you lose your card. Each time a vaccine is administered, the provider registers it with the state vaccination registry.
“Those thin pieces of paper are not the only record of your vaccination status,” Adalja said. “People need to keep the cards safe so they have them on hand, but it’s not the end of the world if they lose them or if they go through the washing machine.”
If you place your card incorrectly, call your state’s health department and ask for a replacement.
“At the moment, this is what we have as proof that you received the vaccine, but it is not impossible to replace it,” said Dr. Christine Whelan, clinical professor of consumer science at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, said.
For now, Whelan said, the CDC’s simple white cards could have more symbolic value than the practical function.
“Other countries do not publish pieces of paper like us, and that is perhaps a nice thing we are doing. There is something satisfying about going away with the card copy record,” she said.
No universal standard yet
President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said this week that the US government is not so-called. vaccine passports for travel and other business activities. Anything that looks like a digital pass is likely to be developed by the private sector, he added.
Some experts lament that the government has not previously developed a standardized, digital proof of vaccination.
“I think the U.S. government should have thought of a digital app early on and had it ready to go, so that it can be activated when someone gets a vaccine,” Adalja said. “Now we have to scramble to find a solution that is digital and secure so that people do not have to worry about carrying the card.”
Ideally, your vaccination status would be integrated and stored with other personal travel information reflected in programs such as Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, which facilitates the process of traveling through airport security.
Faux wax cards
Scammers also take advantage of the low-tech record-keeping system. According to Saoud Khalifah, CEO of Fakespot, which uses artificial intelligence to warn consumers of online retail fraud, hundreds of fraudsters are selling fake versions of the CDC-issued cards via online e-commerce platforms, including eBay, Etsy and Shopify.
Sellers are also not strategic. Fakespot has identified hundreds of Facebook pages and eBay listings that offer ‘wax cards’ and ‘blank vaccination cards’ for individuals who may not have been vaccinated yet.
“It has introduced this new dynamic to society where people can waive immunity and replace it with a fake card. This is a new concept we have not seen before,” Khalifah told CBS MoneyWatch.
Race for digital solutions
As Fauci suggested, private companies are already developing ways to show that they are vaccinated or coronavirus-free. New York authorities, for example, are testing a digital health pass powered by blockchain technology in partnership with computer science firm IBM.
“The goal is to ultimately provide New Yorkers with a simple, voluntary, and safe method to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result or vaccination certification,” IBM said in a press release last month.
The State of New York
New York recently hosted the so-called Excelsior Pass with the Brooklyn Nets at one of the National Basketball Association team home games at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. It will also be tested in theaters and other venues as more New Yorkers are vaccinated.
“The Excelsior Pass will play a critical role in getting information to places and sites in a safe and streamlined manner, which will enable us to detect the reopening of these businesses quickly and take us one step closer to reaching of a new norm, “Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement last month.
Relief from anxiety
VaxYes is another tool that provides free, HIPAA-compliant digital vaccine records for vaccines. Mohammed Gaber, CEO of the company, expects that the product will initially be used most in the travel sector.
“I personally went through the highlights of getting both doses of the vaccine and the low thoughts and fears that I lost my card. Everyone is going to be anxious about this card and how to protect it,” Gaber said.
VaxYes has partnered with various states and organizations across the U.S., including Kansas, testing the tool to enable residents to return to shows and other events. According to the company, thousands of Americans have digitized their paper cards through VaxYes so far.
“People are already starting to think about the summer travel plans, and they see it as a possibility to return to normal activities and start traveling again,” Gaber said. “We are very excited to be part of the solution.”