Each day in the United States, millions more people are receiving their first, second or only dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 141 million people have received at least their first dose as of Monday, April 26th. Even though we’ve got a ways to go before we reach herd immunity and the pandemic becomes a thing of the past, the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter and brighter. Each and every person who has received the vaccine has at least one thing in common: their official COVID-19 vaccination record card from the CDC. This card contains critical information including your name, birthdate, the type of vaccine you received as well as the date and location where you received it. This information is important not just for proving you’ve been vaccinated to your friends and family, but will be critical down the road if/when booster shots are needed or even additional vaccines. This means it’s crucial you store your COVID-19 vaccine card properly.
The jury is still out on how much we’ll need these COVID-19 vaccine cards in the future. Vaccine passport apps are in the works that might streamline your ability to prove you’ve gotten the shot without needing to actually flash your card everywhere you go. Businesses like restaurants, bars, stores and even methods of transportation may very well come to require vaccinations or a negative COVID test in order to enter. Airlines have yet to make a decision about whether vaccinations will be required to board airplanes, but the possibility is being heavily discussed according to those familiar with the industry. Regardless of all of these possibilities, this is a critical piece of your medical history and you’ll want to make sure you take care of it. Here are a few steps to take to store your COVID vaccine card correctly and make sure the information is in the right hands for the future.
Step I: Add Your Vaccine to Your Medical Record
While some people probably received their COVID-19 vaccine at their doctor’s office, many more people did not. Mass vaccination sites are one of the reasons why this effort has been able to ramp up so quickly, but it also means many doctors aren’t sure about whether the patients they see have received the shot. The first thing you’ll want to do once you’ve received your second dose and your card has been filled out by the site staff is fax a copy to your doctor’s office. This is an excellent way to make sure someone else has a copy on file in case you lose yours, and keeps your doctor in the loop. Alternatively, if you received your COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy you can call the pharmacy and have them send the information directly to your doctor.
Step II: Don’t Laminate It
It makes sense why you’d want to laminate it first thing and protect it from potential damage, but don’t. We’re probably going to need to get booster shots in the future and your card is going to need to be updated with new information when this happens. Instead, make a copy and laminate the copy so you’ve got a secure, protected version stored somewhere just in case. Here are a few handy lamination devices you can order online and have shipped right to you.
Avery Self-Adhesive Laminating Sheets
These self-laminating sheets are one of the easiest ways to laminate at home if you don’t have an actual laminating machine. The sheets have a grid on them so you can easily line them up with important documents and cut precisely. They’re acid-free and archival-safe as well, and are glossy on the outside. They’re an excellent way to protect and preserve important documents, just like your COVID-19 vaccine card.
Buy: Avery Self-Adhesive Laminating Sheets $12.62
Scotch 10ct Self-Seal Laminating Sheets
These self-sealing laminating sheets from Scotch function very similarly to the ones above, and work without any need for heat or hassle. You don’t need any special tools, all you need to do is seal them together around your crucial document to give it protection. These deliver a clear, professional finish that’s even photo safe so your document will still be easy to read.
Buy: Scotch 10ct Self-Seal Laminating Sheets $6.99
Scotch Thermal Laminator and Pouch Bundle
This pack comes with laminator sheets and an actual laminator if you’re willing to splurge. The bundle comes with 100 laminator sheets, and the laminator itself is a two-roller system that can be used super easily in your home or small office. If you’ve been meaning to pick yourself up a laminator for important documents and have your COVID-19 vaccine card ready to go, there’s never been a better time.
Buy: Scotch Thermal Laminator and Pouch Bundle $35.48
Step III: Keep The Original Copy in a Secure, Dry Place
Now that you’ve taken care of copies, it’s time to store the original. If you’ve already got a centralized place where you keep your important documents like your birth certificate, social security card, etc, your COVID-19 vaccine card should go there. There are also a ton of fun and practical options for extra storage containers like plastic sleeves, pocket books, mini file folders and more. I’ve gathered up some of my favorites below so you can find a nice, safe home for your ticket to freedom.
Specialist ID Store Immunization Card Holder
This super simple card sleeve is perfect for storing your official card from the CDC, as it’s 4″ x 3″ and made of heavy-duty vinyl. It’s got curved edges and is made of sturdy plastic with a textured back and a clear front window. It’s easy to load horizontally from the top, and you can even attach it to a lanyard if need be.
Buy: Specialist ID Store Plastic Card Holder $4.99
Vaccinated. Vaccine Card Holder
This vaccinated card holder comes in a few different colors, and features a clear front for displaying your pertinent medical information. It’s 4″ x 3″ so it’ll fit your card and keep it safe, and the bright color will help you find it in your purse, backpack or briefcase if you need to pull it out at a moment’s notice.
Buy: Vaccinated. Cover Sleeve $6.00
Genuine Leather Vaccine Card Holder
This vaccine holder is pretty hilarious, and we could all use some humor at the end of this past year. This “I Got My Fauci Ouchie” holder is made of genuine cowhide leather and can double as a wallet if you’re traveling and need to carry your COVID-19 vaccine card with you. It’s got a slot for the vaccine card, a few slots for credit or debit cards and even a window slot for your ID. While we don’t recommend carrying your original card around with you everywhere, this is a great solution for traveling or storage.
Buy: I Got My Fauci Ouchie Vaccine Card Holder $16.90
Clear Vinyl CDC Vaccination Card Protector
This waterproof plastic card protector has a zip top and will protect your vaccine card from liquids or exposure to the elements over time. It’s the standard 4″ x 3″ size that your COVID-19 vaccine card is, and it’s completely clear so you can easily see all of the information on the front of your card. It’s made of durable PVC and has a slot for a lanyard if you need to wear it as a badge for your job or while traveling.
Buy: CDC Vaccination Card Protector $7.99
Vaccination Card Holder 2-Pack
These vaccination card holders are passport holders that have been resized for your COVID-19 vaccine card from the CDC. They’re made from durable fabric and have a lanyard already attached, making them a great travel accessory. Inside you’ve got plenty of storage in addition to the window pocket for your vaccine card including slots for cards, cash, a map and some hand sanitizer.
Buy: Vaccination Card Holder 2-Pack $12.99
DebsDayDesigns Vaccination Card Holder Sleeve
These vaccine card holders are super decorative and come in a ton of bright patterns that’ll make your vaccine card storage more fun. The fabric is 100% cotton and the sleeves have a clear vinyl window sewed into them as well so your card is protected. The window also enables you to show the card to anyone who’s asking without taking it out of the pocket, and makes it easy to remove for adding booster shots to your record. Each of these colorful sleeves are hand sewn in Boise, Idaho, USA.
Buy: DebsDaysDesigns Vaccination Card Holder Sleeve $11.95
XoXoAmour Keychain Vaccination Card Holder
This COVID vaccine card holder is conveniently built with a keychain attached so you can add it or a copy of it to your keys during travel. The sleeves come 25 different fun, bright colors that each have a clear window so there’s no need to remove it to flash the info. Each keychain also has a swiveling claw clip for attaching it to lanyards or even the zipper of a backpack or purse.
Buy: XoXoAmour Vaccination Card Holder $13.00
So You’re Vaccinated, Now What? Guidelines and Tools for Re-Entering the World
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