What if you lose your vaccine card?
Editor's Note
According to a Johns Hopkins University study, just over 50% of the U.S. population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are one of the fortunate Americans to be vaccinated, you likely received a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) card. This is the only way to confirm that someone has been vaccinated against COVID-19 in the United States right now.
The card is important documentation and losing it could pose a few problems.
But what happens if you do manage to lose your COVID-19 vaccine card? What are your options for getting a new one, especially when you might need it to travel or use a digital health passport?
Here’s what you need to know.
What to do if you lose your vaccine card
Your COVID-19 vaccine card is a small, unassuming piece of paper. If you aren’t careful, it’s possible that you could damage — or even lose — your card.
If that happens, don’t panic. All COVID-19 vaccination providers are required to report data within 72 hours in their state’s immunization system, meaning there will likely be a backup record of your vaccination status.
Although there is a record of your shot, you still may have to reach out to several sites to track it down.
The CDC says that you should first contact your vaccination provider — the location where you received the shot — to obtain your vaccination record if you have lost your vaccine card or didn’t receive one.
Recently, a friend who got vaccinated in Brooklyn accidentally got her card wet before receiving a second Pfizer vaccine dose. Workers at the facility happily exchanged it with a new card. So, depending on where you are in the vaccination process, you may be able to quickly get a new card, too.
Another option is to contact your state’s immunization information system (IIS) to see if it has the records. You can also try your state’s health department.
And also note that you have these options with all vaccines — not just the COVID-19 shots.
Finally, if you enrolled in the CDC’s v-safe or VaxText text notification system, you can access your vaccination information that way. However, don’t contact the CDC directly as they do not have a vaccination database.
Related: 3 things to know about your CDC vaccine card
Your vaccine card may come in handy soon
Some destinations are requiring proof of a COVID-19 vaccination, and streamlining that process is something the travel industry has been working on in the form of digital vaccine passports. Your CDC COVID-19 vaccine card may become your ticket out of strict (and possibly expensive) testing and quarantine requirements.
A digital health passport will host verified test and vaccine information, and several have already had trial runs on a number of airlines. These health passes are expected to be optional but will be vital to the travel experience moving forward.
Digital health passports, such as IATA Travel Pass and Clear Health Pass, will host verified test and vaccine information. Some health passport providers have previously told TPG that getting your vaccine status or negative test results onto their apps will be easy.
“You would take a picture, which would, in this case, be a CDC vaccination card with your name on it,” Nick Careen, IATA’s senior vice president of airport, passenger, cargo and security, told TPG last month.
And because there are real concerns that some people would fake negative coronavirus results or COVID-19 vaccine status, providers have indicated that they’re looking for ways to verify the information.
Related: Your guide to digital health passports
Keep your vaccine card safe
Health experts say you should treat your vaccine card like you would an important document, credit card or your driver’s license.
It would be best if you stored it in a secure location like a safe or a desk drawer at all times. If you plan to keep it in a wallet, make sure it doesn’t get damp or bent. It’s unclear whether you should laminate your card (we’ve reached out to the CDC for clarification), but you could keep it in a clear name badge holder.
There will likely be a backup record of your vaccination status if you lose your card, but employing a few best practices when you get it could mitigate needing a new one down the line.
Related: You finally got vaccinated: Here’s what you’ll need for a digital health passport
Bottom line
It can be hard enough to simply get vaccinated against COVID-19, so you’ll want to safeguard your vaccine card as soon as you get inoculated.
It is possible some travelers may inadvertently lose or damage their cards. Take preventative measures in case this happens to you: Snap a photo of your vaccine card, make a note of the facility you got vaccinated at and register with the CDC text notification systems so you’ll be prepared to reach out to the correct sources in case your card gets damaged or lost.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.