# Is anyone keeping up with those vaccination cards?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618
**Category:** The Quarantine Zone
**Created:** [September 2, 2024, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618 "2024-09-02T12:44:38Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/1 "2024-09-02T12:44:38Z")
The pharmacist hasn’t asked about mine for the last couple of vaxes at least, and I always forget to bring it anyway. But afterwards I go online to download my vax record into the Wallet on my iPhone.
But who’s asking for proof of vaccination nowadays? I haven’t flown in four years. Do airlines ask? Do music venues ask?
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### Author:  [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/2 "2024-09-02T12:47:33Z")
I keep up on mine. It’s a small thing to do. I get vaccinated and they sign my card (which is kinda filled now).
I then take a photo of it with my phone and tag it as a vaccination card. That way I can show it to whoever wants it.
That said, I have never, ever, even once been asked for it. But I have it (mainly for international travel, just in case since I never know what a given country might demand for this).
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/3 "2024-09-02T12:48:08Z")
In New Jersey we have a State run App for that called Docket. Shows my Shingrix shots and Flu shots also.
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### Author:  [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/4 "2024-09-02T12:49:14Z")
I go to over 150 music events per year. It’s been a very long time since I’ve been asked to show a vax card. At the end, most people showed their phone “wallet”.
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### Author:  [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/5 "2024-09-02T12:58:09Z")
I maintain it, but have never been asked to show it. California also has a state-run vaccination database. I’ve traveled internationally two times since the pandemic.
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/6 "2024-09-02T12:59:55Z")
I have been asked to show the photo of my covid vac card two or three times. But that was years ago. No one is checking, now. I haven’t deleted the photo because… I mean, how much space does a digital photo take?
My doctor does maintain my vax record with the state and with his hospital’s internal records. That includes my tetanus, shingles, flu, etc. vaccine records as well as my covid vaccines. Whenever i get a new vaccine i drop my doctor a note and it gets added to those records. (Sometimes the pharmacist updates the state records. And i do have multiple entries for a couple of vaccines.)
Now that everyone has been exposed to covid, and now that the virus has mutated away from the original strain (for which the vaccine was actually now effective than natural immunity be some measures) the vaccine record isn’t of much importance, except possibly the record of your most recent booster.
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/7 "2024-09-02T13:00:59Z")
I have also traveled internationally, at least 3 times since the pandemic. Yeah, not an issue anyone cares about.
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### Author:  [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/8 "2024-09-02T13:02:40Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> Now that everyone has been exposed to covid, and now that the virus has mutated away from the original strain (for which the vaccine was actually now effective than natural immunity be some measures) the vaccine record isn’t of much importance, except possibly the record of your most recent booster.
A new vaccine has recently come out:
> **[Updated Novavax Covid-19 vaccines could be available as early as next week | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/30/health/novavax-covid-shot-fda/index.html)**
>
> The US Food and Drug Administration on Friday authorized an updated version of the protein-based Novavax Covid-19 vaccine for use in people 12 and up. Doses could be available by the end of next week.
I got COVID a couple weeks ago. Wasn’t too bad. A few days of having a mild flu. Sucked but I’ve had worse and it went away fast. Was that my vaccine working to keep it mild(ish) and short? Or just luck? I dunno.
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### Author:  [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/9 "2024-09-02T13:10:33Z")
For [reasons](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_antigenic_sin), the vaccine mattered more before covid started mutating. An updated dose that matches the current stain is still useful, but it doesn’t have the impact the original vaccine had.
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### Author:  [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/10 "2024-09-02T13:14:16Z")
Last shot I took they (pharmacy) told me the cards were no longer needed, they keep the shot records online now.
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### Author:  [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/11 "2024-09-02T13:22:33Z")
Our Covid vaccine record was always digital here in Ontario, although you received a printed receipt at time of vaccination. I do have a CDC card as I received one shot in Florida. I sent a copy in to our local health unit and they added it to my official record.
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### Author:  [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/12 "2024-09-02T15:03:32Z")
Misplaced mine in the move to this house. I knew exactly where it was before this, but only ever got it out to get it signed.
I do have it all on record at my doctor’s office, though. So if I ever did actually need proof, I can get it. But, as long as you have insurance, it seems they’ll give them out. They don’t care if yo have proof you had the shot before.
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### Author:  [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/13 "2024-09-02T15:07:45Z")
Last time I checked, the pharmacy (or maybe insurance co.) reported all of my COVID vaccinations to a state of California database where I can access it if needed. I have long since lost track of my paper copy.
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### Author:  [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/14 "2024-09-02T16:08:48Z")
I think my paper copy is in our safe. But I’m sure it doesn’t show the last two or three jabs.
I’m in California, where my Covid vax records should be uploaded onto a state database. I had my last shot three days ago, concurrently with a flu shot, but I’m not seeing the Covid one listed either in CVS’s online records nor the state database. The flu shot is there on CVS’s online records, though. Maybe it takes a few days for the Covid one to register - that seems to jibe with my memory of what has gone down previously. I’ll check back again in a few days.
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### Author:  [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/15 "2024-09-02T16:11:06Z")
Same for me. I’ve maintained my card and always take it when I travel but have never been asked for it. I travel internationally about 2 or 3 times each year.
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### Author:  [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/16 "2024-09-02T16:14:57Z")
I am just getting over what my doctor advises was almost certainly covid. Lost my sense of taste and smell and was fairly ill. Now I can’t get the new covid shot until 3 months have passed.
2 weeks later I now have about 80% of my sense of taste and smell back thankfully.
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### Author:  [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/17 "2024-09-02T16:20:25Z")
It is necessary to wait three months after having COVID to get a vaccine?
IANADoctor. Really asking.
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### Author:  [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/18 "2024-09-02T16:21:57Z")
I called my doctor a few days ago and asked about getting the updated covid shot since I am leaving for Ireland on September 23rd. That was his advice.
I had wanted to get it before I traveled but I guess I have to wait until December.
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### Author:  [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/19 "2024-09-02T16:23:03Z")
We still have ours, though we forgot to bring them with us when we went to the pharmacy for our last booster (last October); the pharmacist said, “don’t worry about it – if you had the card, I’d sign it, but no one brings the cards anymore.”
I haven’t been asked to show my card anywhere since probably 2022.
We’ll likely go get the new booster in the next few weeks, and if we remember, we’ll bring the cards again, just because.
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [September 2, 2024, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-keeping-up-with-those-vaccination-cards/1006618/20 "2024-09-02T16:28:27Z")
CVS texted me “The updated COVID vaccine is available right now.”
Could they really have it ready already?
Or is this more likely to be the last version?
I’ll was going to get COVID & Flu in early October, I’ll probably stick to that. Though the small surge in cases has me a little worried.
* * *
* * *
I understand another round of free test kits will be available soon also.
> **[COVID Home Tests | USPS](https://special.usps.com/testkits)**
>
> COVID Home Tests | USPS
> This program is not currently accepting orders for free at-home COVID-19 tests.
This is saying end of September. [COVID-19 Testing](https://aspr.hhs.gov/covid-19/test/Pages/default.aspx)
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