How Can I Show Proof of Vaccination for COVID-19?
Key takeaways:
The CDC card issued to you when you get your first COVID-19 shot is the easiest way to show proof of vaccination.
While many states keep vaccination records on file, the information can be difficult to access.
The healthcare provider who administered your vaccine is most likely to have a record of your vaccination.
There are also vaccine “passports” or digital ways to store your proof of vaccination.
With the COVID-19 vaccine available and the delta variant actively spreading, you may need to show proof of vaccination for work or travel.
Unfortunately, there is no universal document or federal database that can prove that you’ve actually received your shots. The good news is, there are still different ways to show your proof of vaccination.
How do I get a COVID-19 vaccination card?
When you’re vaccinated, you’ll get a CDC card that lists information such as:
Your name
The date of your vaccination
Where you got vaccinated
Which vaccine you received
Vaccine lot (batch) number
While the cards may have been initially used to help people getting a two-dose vaccine remember their second shot, they’ve become the most common proof of vaccination for all of the COVID-19 vaccines. Because of this, you’ll want to keep the card in a safe place.
When you get vaccinated, you may also be given a printout with the same information that’s on the CDC card. It’s a good idea to hang on to any printouts you receive as you may not be able to easily replace them.
It’s important to know that the CDC does not store individual vaccination records. This is because vaccination sites and provider offices don’t report this information to them. Therefore, the CDC cannot provide you with a record of your COVID-19 vaccination. This is why it’s essential that you hang onto your CDC card and any other documentation you’re given as proof of vaccination.
Will the state have a copy of my vaccination record?
In most states, healthcare providers are required to keep either paper or digital records of most vaccinations they administer (seasonal flu shots are often exceptions). If your state has a vaccine registry, also known as an Immunization Information System (IIS), the provider may be required to forward your information there as well.
Not all states have an IIS. And even if your state does, your provider may not be required to submit your information. Some states also need patients to consent ahead of having their vaccine information forwarded to a state IIS.
Even if your state has a record of your vaccination, it may be difficult to get a copy. Most states restrict access to vaccination records for security and privacy reasons.
For more information about contacting your state’s vaccine registry or IIS, visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/iis/contacts-locate-records.html.
What if I lose my vaccine documents or need copies?
If you need a copy of your vaccination record, first try the health provider that gave you the vaccine. State laws generally require that vaccine providers keep records on paper or in an electronic database. If you’re unable to get documentation from the provider, contact your state board of health for assistance.
Are there any electronic alternatives to the paper CDC card?
Several organizations are working on apps that allow the uploading, storing, and viewing of vaccination documents on your smartphone.
GoodRx Care
GoodRx Care offers a Vaccine Wallet that allows you to create a digital record of your vaccination on your phone. It’s as easy as creating an account, taking a photo of your vaccine card, and entering the details. Facilities don’t always require your physical proof of vaccination for entry — many times a photo is enough. The Vaccine Wallet stores the photo and details for fast and easy access.
The Vaccine Credential Initiative
The Vaccine Credential Initiative (VCI) has been working with a wide variety of public and private organizations to make vaccination records more accessible online.
The initiative is being headed by The Commons Project, a non-profit group dedicated to building technology platforms that benefit society. Participants include medical IT providers, Cerner and Epic, along with tech giants, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Oracle.
The VCI project would allow individuals to access their records through a digital wallet, PDF, or paper printed with a scannable QR code.
IBM Health
IBM Health, meanwhile, has developed a platform called IBM Health Pass. Through this platform, users can collect health documents and data into a digital wallet on their smartphones. IBM also recently partnered with Salesforce on the project to develop ways that can help organizations and businesses verify the health status of employees or customers.
Proof of vaccination for travel
Currently, most airlines and border security are not asking travelers to show proof of vaccination for COVID-19. But that could change as vaccination becomes more commonplace.
Vaccine passport: what is a vaccine passport and do you need one?
A vaccine passport is documentation — either paper or digital — showing that you’ve been vaccinated against a particular disease. As covered above, this may include your CDC vaccine card or a digital record stored in a vaccine passport app on your phone.
As more businesses and facilities start to require proof of vaccination for entry, a vaccine passport may become more common. In fact, several countries have either started using vaccine passports already or are considering them.
On the other hand, some states have moved to ban vaccine passport requirements within their borders. So how vaccine passports currently affect you may depend on where you live, travel, work, or go to school.
This map from the National Academy for State Health Policy tracks states’ actions to ban or enforce vaccine passports. It also displays vaccine mandates for groups, such as employers, state employees, and health workers.
What are some examples of vaccine passports?
CommonPass
The Commons Project and the World Economic Forum developed an app called CommonPass. Passengers can use the smartphone app to present digital proof of vaccination as well as a negative COVID-19 test result. The app also allows people to print out documents as they would a boarding pass.
Several Airlines have partnered with CommonPass, including:
JetBlue
Lufthansa
Swiss International Airlines
United Airlines
Travel Pass
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents 290 airlines worldwide, launched an app called Travel Pass. This app serves many purposes such as:
Allowing authorized labs and healthcare providers to send copies of lab results and vaccination certificates to travelers
Enabling governments to recognize lab results and vaccine certificates
Helping airlines provide the latest information on testing requirements to travelers
Informing passengers on where they can get vaccinated or tested in order to meet airline or border security requirements
Like CommonPass, Travel Pass also allows users to store lab results and vaccination certificates as digital vaccine passports on their smartphone. Similarly, individuals can print out documents to present much like a boarding pass.
Some of the many airlines that are currently testing Travel Pass include:
Air France
British Airways
Emirates
LATAM Airlines
Can an employer ask for proof of COVID-19 vaccination?
In short, yes — employers can require and ask for proof of COVID-19 vaccination. But this can also depend on state law.
If you can’t get vaccinated or provide proof — whether due to a medical reason, sincerely held religious beliefs, or other reasons protected under federal law — employers are typically required to make reasonable accommodations for you. In this case, you may need to wear a mask, get regular COVID-19 tests, or work remotely.
Can a business ask for proof of vaccination?
Yes, businesses can ask for proof of vaccination under federal law. However, some states may restrict their ability to do so.
It’s important to understand that privately-owned businesses — like restaurants, concert venues, and grocery stores — aren’t covered entities under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This means that when they ask you for proof of vaccination, it is not considered a HIPAA violation. They are legally allowed to do so.
The bottom line
Since there is no universal document or federal database that stores your proof of vaccination, make sure to keep your COVID-19 vaccination card safe. You can also consider storing your proof of vaccination as a digital vaccine passport for easier access. Some examples of vaccine passports include GoodRx Care’s Vaccine Wallet, IBM Health Pass, CommonPass, and Travel Pass. For any other information you might need regarding proof of vaccination, contact the healthcare provider who administered the vaccine.
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