Say goodbye to the COVID-19 vaccination card. The CDC has stopped printing them

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Farewell to the COVID-19 Vaccination Card: CDC Halts Production

In a significant shift marking the end of a pandemic era, the familiar white COVID-19 vaccination cards are being phased out as the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines by the federal government ceases. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially ceased printing new vaccination cards.

From late 2020, when the initial vaccines were introduced, until May 10, the federal government dispatched over 980 million of these cards, as per the latest data available from the CDC. However, the discontinuation of these cards is not anticipated to bring about a substantial change, considering that the days of keeping them handy in purses and wallets for access to events, bars, and restaurants have largely passed. For those who have retained their vaccination cards, they remain valid as proof of vaccination. In contrast, individuals requiring their COVID-19 immunization records will need to request them in a manner similar to other vaccines.

In many instances, the healthcare facility, pharmacy, or health department where the vaccine was administered can furnish these records. Virtually every state, along with select cities, maintains an immunization registry, though the regulations pertaining to record inclusion and options for obtaining copies may differ. Records from mass vaccination sites established early in the pandemic should also be accessible through these registries, contingent on state laws, as there is no overarching national registry for immunization records.

For example, in Texas, written consent from patients is a prerequisite for inclusion in the registry, according to David Andres Alegria, spokesperson for the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. Other regions, like Wyoming and Philadelphia, mandate vaccine providers to log all vaccinations into their city-specific record systems.

Numerous states offer digital vaccination records accessible to individuals through online platforms or apps, enabling them to retain a certificate or QR code as proof of vaccination. Some websites even offer tracking and reminders for subsequent vaccinations, both for general immunizations and specifically for COVID-19.

However, it’s important to note that not all states offer the same digital options, potentially leading to delays in obtaining your records. Moreover, there may be gaps in state databases, particularly if you received your vaccination from a federal health provider, as these records might be managed separately.

Regarding your existing vaccination card, if you still possess it, it is advisable to preserve it as you would any other important health document, as suggested by Heidi Gurov, nurse consultant at the Wyoming Department of Health.

“It’s always a prudent practice to keep these records in a secure location,” she emphasized.

Notably, CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen disclosed that four million individuals in the United States have received the most recent COVID-19 vaccine since its approval last month, with a total of 10 million doses dispatched to healthcare providers.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about COVID-19 Vaccination Cards

More about COVID-19 Vaccination Cards

• CDC – COVID-19 Vaccination Cards
• State Immunization Registries
• Digital COVID-19 Vaccination Records