Should You Keep Your COVID-19 Vaccine Card?

You might be wondering if you still need your COVID-19 vaccine card. As of October 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stopped issuing vaccine cards. These cards previously documented when and where you got the initial COVID vaccine, the type you received, and subsequent booster shots.

Your COVID vaccine card previously served as a record of your vaccination status. You might have needed your card to show proof of vaccination before eating indoors at a restaurant, getting on a plane, or venturing into other public spaces. Here's what you need to know about whether you still need your COVID vaccine card and where to find your vaccine records.

Why the CDC Stopped Requiring COVID Vaccine Cards

The CDC stopped issuing vaccine cards in October 2023. This decision occurred alongside the agency's COVID Vaccination Program. The U.S. government stopped purchasing and distributing vaccines at the end of the program. The CDC also reported that it would not maintain records of vaccinations.

Do You Need Your COVID Vaccine Records?

You likely do not need to carry your vaccine card to public spaces, but you'll want to hang on to your card. Although the public health emergency ended in May 2023, COVID is still circulating, and the virus is evolving and mutating. The CDC and other health agencies might update their guidance on vaccine cards in the future.

Consider snapping a quick, clear picture of your card and then storing it in an easily accessible place like Dropbox or Google Drive. Email it to yourself or a trusted emergency contact just in case you need it.

Just remember that your card contains a lot of personal information, such as your full name, date of birth, where you got your vaccine, and the date or dates you had it—all of which can be used for identity theft. Do not share a picture of your vaccine card on social media.

Should You Keep Your Card?

The CDC no longer issues COVID vaccine cards but yours still serves as valid documentation. You might hang onto your vaccine card since it's a record of your personal health but do not worry if you have lost or tossed out yours. If necessary, you can obtain your vaccination records through the healthcare provider who administered your vaccine or your state health department.

Remember that the White House clarified in April 2021 that there will be no official federal vaccine passport. Still, states and businesses may enact those rules on their own.

When You Might Need It

There may be times where you will need to show your COVID vaccine card, Mohamad Moussa, MD, professor of emergency medicine at the University of Toledo, told Health. For example, office buildings, resorts, schools, transportation services, and venues might require proof of vaccination.

It might be worthwhile to keep your COVID vaccine card somewhere safe if you are going somewhere that might require it. Try keeping yours with your passport or other places where you store documents like birth certificates and social security cards. You may be required to show your vaccination card when traveling to another country.

Where To Find Your Vaccine Records

You want to keep your COVID vaccine card safe so that you do not have to spend time looking up your vaccine records. The CDC advises contacting your state health department's immunization information system if you do decide to toss your card. The health department will enter your information in that registry after you get vaccinated.

The CDC has a vaccine monitoring program, V-Safe, that you can register for. V-Safe tracks post-vaccine side effects and symptoms through your computer, smartphone, or tablet. Register after you get a COVID vaccine or booster shot. The program will keep track of your information so that you can access it later.

A Quick Review

The CDC has stopped issuing COVID vaccine cards, and many public spaces no longer require proof of vaccination. However, you can stay up to date with current guidelines and recommendations by referring to the CDC. You'll still want to hang on to yours, though. Your vaccine card is a record of personal health. A healthcare provider can update your card if you receive vaccines and boosters in the future.

Do not worry if you have lost your card. You might be able to obtain your vaccination records from the healthcare provider who administered your vaccine or through your state health department.

The information in this story is accurate as of publication. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources.