How To Keep Vaccine Card Safe as New York Requires Proof of Vaccination for Indoor Venues
More and more states are introducing regulations around vaccinations, meaning carrying your vaccine card is an essential requirement. The card proves you had a vaccine, but there are some dos and don'ts around what to do with it.
While keeping it safe is vital, trying too hard to make it safe by doing things like laminating it can actually do more harm than good.
Given many places, like New York City, have asked for these to be provided as proof of vaccination in order to enter some indoor venues, we break down the ways to keep your card safe.
What Is A Vaccine Card and Why Should I Keep It?
A vaccine card will be given to you after you have your vaccination.
On it will be information about the vaccine manufacturer, the dose and the date and location where it was administered.
It is important to keep your vaccine card for a number of reasons, but first and foremost because it contains information about the specific vaccination you had.
The dose number is important as it will pinpoint the exact batch of a vaccine you had, which could be important if you have adverse reactions.
If you are not in a fit state to provide this information yourself in an emergency, the vaccine card is a good way to do so.
As well as this, it helps to keep track of your doses, meaning you can work out when your full immunity has been met, as well as when a booster or further dose may be required.
Finally, these cards are important to be used as proof of vaccination, until a more sophisticated vaccine passport system is put in place.
According to Good Housekeeping, some businesses are even offering deals like a free Krispy Kreme donut or a free dessert at White Castle if you show your vaccine card.
How To Keep Your Vaccine Card Safe
The first way to keep it safe is to take a photograph of it, which means if you do lose it the information needed is still available.
If you have two shots of a vaccine, you will need to bring it with you to your second appointment, so having a photo is a good way to safeguard against losing important information.
Some organizations have offered free lamination of vaccine cards, such as Staples, and some have opted for this as a way to ensure it does not get damaged.
However, as further information may need to be added, such as in the case of you requiring a booster shot, it may be best to keep it in a safe place instead.
Some states are rolling out digital vaccine passports, which will mean as long as you have your phone with you, you can prove your vaccinated status.
In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the Key To NYC Pass, which will mean venues like restaurants, gyms and movie theaters will require vaccination for you to attend as a customer or an employee.
The digital Excelsior Pass makes it easy to provide proof of vaccination, though a vaccine card is still important to keep as a stop-gap given issues with glitching on the app.
Look at your state government website for further information on this.
If you lose your vaccine card, the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) suggests you contact the place where you first received it in order to retrieve a new one in time for your second dose.
