Disclaimer: At UPMC HealthBeat, we strive to provide the most up-to-date facts in our stories when we publish them. We also make updates to our content as information changes. However, education about COVID-19 can shift quickly based on new data, emerging variants, or other factors. The information in this story was accurate as of its publish date. We also encourage you to visit other reliable websites for updated information, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and your state and local governments.
More and more people are becoming eligible for an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
What’s one thing you’ll need when you go to get an additional dose? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccination Record card you received when you got your initial dose or doses.
After your initial vaccination series, you should have kept your card in a safe place. If you did misplace it, however, don’t worry — there are steps you can take to get a replacement.
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What to Do If You Lost Your COVID-19 Vaccine Card
If you can’t find your COVID-19 vaccination card, there are steps you can take to replace it.
First, you can contact the provider where you received your initial vaccination series. Your provider should be able to access your record. If you received your vaccine from UPMC, you can access your immunization records in several different ways:
- Accessing the UPMC Patient Portal specific to your region or hospital:
- Visiting UPMC’s Certify Care portal, where you can download a copy of your CDC card.
- Calling 844-876-2822 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
If you can’t contact your provider directly, other options include:
- Contact your state health department’s immunization information system (IIS). Vaccine providers are required to report vaccination information to their state’s IIS.
- If you live in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Statewide IIS (PA-SIIS) can send you a record of your vaccination. You will receive your vaccination record, not a replacement card — but a vaccination record can serve as official proof. To get your record, you must fill out an authorization form and upload a copy of your photo identification. For more information, call 877-774-4748, email RA-DHVaxRecords@pa.gov, or visit the state’s immunization records website.
- If you live in New York state (except for New York City), request a copy of your vaccination record by contacting the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS) at 518-473-4437 or nysiis@health.ny.gov.
- If you are a New York City resident, visit the New York Citywide Immunization Registry’s website for instructions on how to get a copy of your vaccination record.
- If you live in Maryland, you can request a copy of your vaccination record by contacting the Maryland Center for Immunization at 1-855-634-6829 or mdh.mdimmunet@maryland.gov.
- Use v-safe or VaxText if you previously signed up for them. If you enrolled in v-safe or VaxText after your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you can find your vaccination information there.
If you still can’t locate your vaccination information or get a new or replacement card, talk to a vaccine provider for assistance.
Scheduling an additional dose? Don’t forget to bring your new COVID-19 vaccine card with you to your appointment.
Why You Need a COVID-19 Vaccination Card
Your COVID-19 vaccine card provides an official record of your vaccination. It contains key information such as the vaccine you received and where and when you received it.
When you receive a second dose, additional primary dose, or booster dose, your vaccine card provides proof and documentation of your prior vaccination. This helps vaccine providers make sure you are receiving an appropriate vaccine at the right time.
A vaccination card may be required to travel or to participate in certain activities, so it’s important to keep it somewhere safe.
Also, do not post a photo of your vaccine card anywhere after your initial vaccine series or after getting any additional doses.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Getting Your CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card. Link
About UPMC
Headquartered in Pittsburgh, UPMC is a world-renowned health care provider and insurer. We operate 40 hospitals and 800 doctors’ offices and outpatient centers, with locations throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, West Virginia, and internationally. We employ 4,900 physicians, and we are leaders in clinical care, groundbreaking research, and treatment breakthroughs. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside as one of the nation’s best hospitals in many specialties and ranks UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh on its Honor Roll of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals. We are dedicated to providing Life Changing Medicine to our communities.