While it may be tempting to have your vaccine card laminated as soon as possible, you should take your time and make sure you have considered a few things in advance.
Here’s what you should know about laminating your coveted vaccine card.
Double check your information
If you are given a two-dose vaccine, make sure you receive and document both doses on your card before laminating it.
Double check all your information ̵
Make sure you have a backup
You should definitely make a backup copy of your card before laminating it.
Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and public health professor at George Washington University, told CNN that she recommends taking a picture of the card after each dose.
“Take a picture after getting the first shot, then after the second as well, in case you lose the physical card,” she said. “Keep the picture on your phone and send you a copy via email to be safe.”
Wen said she also recommends copying the card and keeping it in the same place as other important documents, such as the birth certificate.
After this, if you want to laminate your card, Wen says to “go for it.”
Know what to do if your card is damaged or lost
There are concerns that the lamination process may damage cards, stain ink or make it illegible.
But even if your card is damaged in the lamination process, there are alternatives.
In case of damage or loss of your card, contact the vaccine provider to get another one.
While the CDC itself does not have vaccination information, providers are required to report vaccinations to their respective IIS or registry. Contact the state’s listed telephone number or e-mail address to access your mail and get your new card.
Evidence is the most important thing – laminated or not
Some people are worried that getting a laminated vaccine card will cause problems in the future if Covid-19 vaccine enhancers are needed.
Still, Wen says don’t worry.
“If you end up getting a booster after, you can always get another card,” she said. “I would not let that be a deterrent.”
Ultimately, it is what trumps all evidence – laminated or not.
“Lamination is not necessary if you follow all the other steps above,” Wen said. “The key is to have readily available vaccination evidence.”
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