What to know about the World Health Organization vaccine booklet
By now, you're probably familiar with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) card Americans receive after being vaccinated against COVID-19.
This card includes medical information such as the type of vaccine you received, the date you received it and where you were vaccinated.
We're not yet close to a standardized digital vaccine passport, so this small card is one of the most valuable assets you can have right now — especially as travel restarts.
But if you're a frequent international traveler, you might also have another vaccination record, this time from the World Health Organization (WHO). Here's what you need to know about this certificate of vaccination — also called a vaccine booklet.
What is the vaccine booklet?
The WHO has its own vaccine booklet called the Model International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. This is separate from the CDC COVID-19 vaccine card and was developed by the WHO.
This booklet contains information such as vaccine or prophylaxis types, the date it was received and the signature of the person who administered it. It also contains a section for booster shots, other vaccines and information about diseases such as malaria.
Will a vaccine booklet be required to travel?
The WHO told TPG it doesn't support requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for international travel, but said its recommendations will evolve "as supply expands and as evidence about existing and new COVID-19 vaccines is compiled."
WHO released interim guidance for developing a certificate, which is open for public comment until April 12, 2021.
For now, the WHO says it doesn't support requiring proof of vaccination to travel because it's still unclear how much the vaccines can prevent transmission and because the global vaccine supply is still limited. While countries like Israel and the United States have vaccinated millions of citizens, much of the developing world still faces delays.
"Every person who is vaccinated should have access to ... proof of vaccination, paper-based or digital," said the WHO. "Under the Smart Vaccine Certificates initiative, WHO is working to develop technical specifications and standards for the use of digital vaccine certificates."
That means you'll likely be able to import your existing information from your WHO booklet into vaccine passports in development. If you're already traveling, you might want to bring both your WHO booklet (if you have one) and your CDC COVID-19 vaccine card.
Where can you get a WHO card?
WHO booklets are available online, and some savvy travelers appear to be buying them en masse. But if you frequently travel abroad and need to be vaccinated against certain diseases, such as yellow fever, you're likely to get one of these at your next appointment at your local travel clinic.
Some travelers have brought their WHO booklets to their COVID-19 vaccine appointments and had the information added to both the booklet and the CDC vaccine card.
Bottom line
Cards, booklets -- it's a lot to keep track of. You won't be barred from travel if you don't have proof of your COVID-19 vaccine in your WHO booklet, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to have proof in several locations — especially since the WHO vaccine booklet may be more familiar to authorities abroad than the CDC's COVID-19 vaccine card.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees