NEWS
Should You Laminate Your COVID Vaccine Card for Travel?
Source: AP
With the U.S. having no central database for who has received the COVID-19 vaccine, a vaccination card could be the only proof you have that you have been vaccinated. So, what steps should you take to protect that card?
Numerous media outlets have reported proof of vaccination could be required in the future for international travel, cruise ship vacations, and even getting into large events, so making sure your vaccination card is kept safe should be a top priority.
MarketWatch reports several retailers, including OfficeMax and Office Depot, as well as Staples, are offering free lamination services for people who want to protect their vaccination cards.
Laminating your vaccination card is a great idea to protect it, but MarketWatch suggests you should do the following things before laminating your vaccination card:
Make Sure You’re Fully Vaccinated
MarketWatch reports you will need to make sure you don’t laminate your card until you have received your second dose if it’s a two-shot vaccine. If you have received the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine you can go ahead and laminate it right away.
Make Sure Your Info is Correct
Before laminating your card make sure all of your information on the card is correct, including name spelling and date of birth. When you are receiving your first vaccine, make sure the vaccine type, place of vaccination and date are all correct and do the same when receiving your second shot, if applicable.
Ask Where Vaccination Records are Kept
MarketWatch suggests asking where your vaccination information is being recorded digitally, in case you should lose your card in the future.
Make a Paper Photocopy of Your Card
Photocopy the front and back of your COVID vaccination card and keep it with all your other important household documents.
Photograph Both Sides of the Card
MarketWatch suggests taking a photograph with your smartphone of both sides of the card and emailing the photos to yourself. Furthermore, you can keep the pictures on your smartphone in a folder for easy access should you need to show proof of vaccination.
MarketWatch reports it’s a good idea to let your family doctor know when you have been fully vaccinated so they can make a note on your records and most importantly they say don’t share your vaccination card on social media. Doing so is an open invitation for identity theft!
