COVID-19 Vaccine Card No Longer Needed

The COVID-19 vaccine card distributed to Americans when they got their shots during the pandemic are no longer necessary. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stopped printing and distributing them, and the cards aren’t needed to get an updated vaccine.

“A CDC vaccination card is not required, but our pharmacists will complete them if patients bring them in,” says Matt Blanchette, a spokesman for CVS Pharmacy.

Other major pharmacy chains, including Walgreens, Rite Aid and Walmart, also say the cards aren’t needed to get an updated vaccine. If you bring one, the pharmacies will fill it out, but they also are keeping their own record, which you can get either at the store or online.

The federal government shipped more than 980 million cards between late 2020, when the first vaccines came out, through May 10, according to the Associated Press. During the height of the pandemic the cards served as proof of vaccination that could be shown where required. Now the cards have little use other than as a handy way to keep track of your vaccinations as additional doses are required.

If you no longer have your card, don’t panic. You can retrieve your vaccination history through your state health department’s immunization information system. Your state should be able to provide a digital or paper copy of your full vaccination record, according to the CDC.

You likely can also get the vaccination record wherever you got your shot.

CVS

“Patients who receive an immunization at CVS Pharmacy or MinuteClinic can have an immunization record printed, emailed and accessible in a personalized CVS Health dashboard that gives patients immediate access to vaccination records, medications, test results and more once they create an account,” Blanchette said.

A digital vaccine record can be found on the CVS website.

Walgreens

“We recommend individuals bring their dose card or vaccination details to the appointment so immunizers can update with booster details, but it is not required. Walgreens will ask people to verify their age and vaccination status,” says Stephanie Corcilius, manager of pharmacy communications.

A digital vaccine record can be obtained through the Walgreens website.

Rite Aid

If you want a record of your vaccinations, Rite Aid will provide one at the pharmacy or online if the customer has an account set up, according to an email from its communications team.

A digital vaccine record can be found on the Rite Aid website.

Walmart

Customers who have a pharmacy account can receive a digital vaccination record through the Walmart app or the website, according to the retailer’s website. You’ll need to verify your identity and sign in to your pharmacy account to get a digital record through the Walmart website.