OAN’s Elizabeth Volberding
4:38 PM – Wednesday, October 4, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will no longer be distributing COVID-19 vaccination cards to those getting immunized against the virus.
As a result, the agency has stopped printing new vaccine cards altogether and is not keeping track of vaccination records any longer.
Those who are seeking vaccine proof must contact their state’s health department Immunization Information Systems (IIS).
“Your state’s IIS cannot issue you a vaccination card, but they can provide a digital or paper copy of your full vaccination record, including your COVID-19 vaccinations,” according to the CDC’s website.
However, the agency still recommends that the public keep their immunization records with their primary care provider for future medical decisions.
Between the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2020 and May 10th, 2023, the federal government has distributed over 980 million vaccine cards, according to the most recent available data from the CDC.
This method was used as a way to keep track of dosage appointments and provide evidence of vaccination at social gatherings and in the workplace.
Many states in the U.S. also offer digital vaccination records for individuals on websites or through apps that allow users to save a certificate or a QR code, showing proof that they are vaccinated against the virus.
“One of the positives (during the pandemic) was having increased autonomy on your patient record, especially the immunization record,” said Jeff Chorath, who manages the immunization information system in Washington state.
The state of Washington offers two digital options for receiving vaccination records. This includes a comprehensive list of a person’s vaccinations noted in the state database, and one that is specific to COVID-19 vaccines.
However, other states do not allow the same options as Washington.
This means that it may take longer for one to retrieve their records, or there could be large gaps in particular state’s databases.
Well-known pharmaceutical drug stores, such as CVS and Walgreens, have announced that they do not require the vaccine cards for those getting the latest COVID-19 shot. However, patients have the ability to obtain records of their shots from the pharmacy’s Health Dashboard.
“A vaccination card is not required for vaccination, but our pharmacists will complete them if patients bring them in,” CVS said in a statement to CNN.
Additionally, Walgreens does not mandate the vaccine cards either, but recommends that patients bring them to vaccine appointments.
“We recommend individuals bring their dose card or vaccination details to the appointment so immunizers can update with booster details, but it is not required. Walgreens will ask people to verify their age and vaccination status,” Walgreens said in a statement obtained by CNN.
Since it was approved last month, the most recent COVID-19 vaccination has been administered to four million Americans and 10 million doses have been sent to healthcare providers, according to CDC director Dr. Mandy Cohen.
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