The big day is finally here: it’s time for your second dose of vaccination. You have your ID, you have confirmed the appointment time and wait – wait a minute – where did the card go?
You are not the first person to place the piece of paper incorrectly. Google’s search for ‘lost vaccine map’ has increased until 2021 as more and more people are vaccinated (currently at around 1 in 3 Californians).
This is not the only question people have had about what to do with their vaccine card. Here is a list of do’s and don’ts for the most exciting piece of paper you will find this year.
DO: Go back for your second appointment if you misplaced the card
Return for your second appointment as planned with your ID. Your vaccination record – regardless of where you received the shot – will be registered in the California Immunization Registry (CAIR). The provider must have you from the previous time in the system, and they can issue you a new card.
‘Most healthcare providers are affiliated with CAIR. “People can ask their healthcare provider if they can access this record and provide a printed copy,” a LA County Public Health representative wrote in an email.
If you have lost your card after your second dose, reach out to the place where you shot and ask them for a replacement. Again, your information should be in the system, so it should be no problem to get another one for you. You can also request your vaccination record directly from CAIR.
If you have booked your appointment at a massive vaccination center through Carbon Health, you will receive a secure digital vaccination record called Health Pass as well as the paper card, said Eren Bali, CEO and co-founder.
DO NOT: Laminate your card
Staples and Office Depot offer free lamination for vaccination cards, but do not take it up. The heat from the laminating machine can damage the ink. You should also get a COVID vaccine booster in the future, the Department of Public Health noted. It is therefore best to leave it on laminate. A better way to protect it: a transparent plastic sleeve, like a badge ID holder. You might have an old one on a conference lanyard kicking around somewhere.
DO: Check the information on it
Make sure your name and date of birth are correct. Ideally, you would do this before leaving your first appointment, but if it was already in the past, it’s still good to check. Ask the supplier for replacement with corrected information if something is wrong.
DO NOT: take it everywhere
Discussions of so-called “vaccine passports” are mostly theoretical at this stage. There is currently no reason to carry your card in your wallet. Keep it somewhere safe in your home as with any other important document.
DO: Take photos of it for your records
As a backup for the physical card, you can take photos of the front and back of it and email it to yourself.
Some people shared selfies with vaccinations with their birth dates, apparently to protect against identity theft. It’s good – it’s never smart to share such personal information online. But you also do not want to share the other information on the map widely, Bali said, especially if there are stories about people trying to create false information: you do not want to make it even easier by making it comfortable. provides a recent lot number.
DO: Share your vaccination selfie
Every person who shares a photo of themselves helping with a fresh shoulder patch helps the cause, Bali said. Vaccination hesitation has diminished as the deployment progresses, but your photo may be the difference for someone you know to think of: ‘no, I’ll wait a while and see how it goes’ after’ this person feel good about it, so do I. ”
“A smiling person is definitely more effective” than a photo of a vaccination record, Bali said.
You heard it here: Post your selfies. It’s good for you (and the public)’s health.