ATLANTA (CNN) – Vaccine eligibility in the United States is expanding rapidly, as is the popularity of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s small white card.
While plans to establish standardized vaccination evidence are still under development, many keep their Covid-19 vaccine cards as a potential form of social currency.
And companies like Staples and Office Depot are offering to keep them safe with free lamination.
While it may be tempting to roll out your vaccine card as soon as possible, you should take the time and make sure you consider a few things in advance.
Here’s what you should know about rolling out the coveted vaccine book.
Please check your information again.
If you are given a two-dose vaccine, be sure to receive and document both doses on your card before rolling it out.
Check all your information again – including your name, date of birth and vaccine date and location – for accuracy.
Make sure you have a backup
You should definitely back up your card before rolling it out.
Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and professor of public health at George Washington University, told CNN that she recommends taking a photo of the card after each dose.
“Take a photo after you get the first photo, then after the second, in case you lose your physical card,” she said. “Keep the picture on your phone and email a copy to be safe.”
Wen said he also recommends photocopying the card and keeping it in the same place as other important documents, such as the birth certificate.
After that, if you want to roll your card, Wen tells you to “go after it.”
Find out what to do if your card is damaged or lost
There are concerns that the lamination process could damage the cards, soiling the ink or making it illegible.
But even if your card is damaged in the rolling process, there are options.
If your card is damaged or lost, you will need to contact your vaccine provider to obtain another one.
If you have trouble contacting your provider, you can visit the CDC’s director of immunization information systems (IIS) at the state health department.
While the CDC itself has no information on the registration of vaccinations, providers are required to report vaccinations to the IIS or their state registry. Contact the phone number or email address listed in your state to access your registration and obtain the new card.
Proof is the most important thing – laminate or not
Some are worried that the rolling of vaccination cards will cause problems in the future if booster vaccines with Covid-19 vaccine are needed.
However, Wen says don’t worry.
“If you get a reminder, you can get another card at any time,” she said. “I wouldn’t let that be a deterrent.”
Finally, the thing that goes beyond everything is the proof – laminated or not.
“Rolling is not necessary if you follow the other steps above,” Wen said. “The key is to have easily accessible vaccination evidence.”
As long as you have the card, you are in a good place. Don’t forget not to share it on social media.
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