Question: Where can I obtain proof of my vaccination shots? I seem to have misplaced any papers I may have had.
— Noozhawk reader Bob Franco
Everyone who receives a COVID-19 vaccination shot also receives a paper card with information about the dates and lots (which batch of vaccine) of each dose.
On Friday, the California Department of Public Health launched a Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record portal where people can request copies of their vaccination record. It is available here: https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/.
A printed copy of the digital record can be used as a replacement for a lost printed vaccination card, and users also can save an image to a phone, according to the CDPH.
“It is one of the options to show proof of vaccination,” Santa Barbara County Public Health Director Van Do-Reynoso said Friday.
According to the CDPH, “in order for you to obtain your record, COVID-19 vaccination information must have been submitted to the California Immunization Registry (CAIR2, SDIR and RIDE) by your vaccination provider, and all the information you enter into the DCVR portal must match your record in the registry.”
CDPH has additional information about the portal on a FAQ page here, and advice for what to do if you can’t get access to your records through the portal, or the information is inaccurate.
In April, before a statewide vaccination record portal was created, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department suggested contacting your vaccine provider for a replacement record — that could be a hospital, pharmacy, community clinic, doctor’s office or the Public Health Department itself.
The county’s 2-1-1 call center, which is staffed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, also is available to help people with that. Call 800.400.1572 to access the call center if using an out-of-area phone number.
Under the new state public health officer order, and Cal/OSHA workplace protection rules, unvaccinated people are required to continue wearing masks indoors, while fully vaccinated people can choose to stop wearing them in some public settings.
Businesses and venues can post signage explaining the rules and rely on the honor system; verify vaccination status (by asking to see vaccination cards, or asking if someone is vaccinated); or require all patrons to wear a mask, according to the Public Health Department.
Frequently Asked Questions About the CDPH Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record
CDPH has a FAQ page with more information about the vaccine record portal.
How does the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record portal work?
The Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record portal draws COVID-19 records from California’s immunization systems. Enter your name, date of birth and an email or mobile phone number associated with your vaccination record, then create a four-digit PIN. If the information you submitted matches the official record, you will receive a text or email with a link to your digital COVID-19 vaccine record. Enter the PIN you created to view the record.
How will my vaccine record be delivered?
When your vaccination record is found, you will receive a link delivered to the email or mobile phone number associated with the vaccination record. After entering your four-digit PIN, you will see your COVID-19 vaccination information including your name, date of birth, vaccination date(s) and vaccine manufacturer. You will also receive a scannable QR code confirming your vaccine record is authentic. See “Will my scanned information be saved?” below for more about the QR code.
What if my record is not found?
If the information you submitted does not return a link, you can re-enter your information, making sure to use an email or phone associated with your vaccine record, and double check that your name and birthdate are correct. If your record still isn’t found, you may need to correct or update your immunization record. Follow the troubleshooting tips at cdph.ca.gov/covidvaccinerecord or call 833.422.4255.
What if my digital vaccine record is incorrect?
If the information on your digital vaccine record is not correct — for instance, it’s missing a dose or lists the wrong dates or brand — you may need to correct or update your immunization record. Follow the troubleshooting tips at cdph.ca.gov/covidvaccinerecord or call 833.422.4255.
What if I made multiple vaccination appointments for multiple people with a single phone number?
If you are a parent or guardian and have created multiple appointments with a single phone number or email, enter the requests one at a time to receive separate links for each vaccine record.
Will my information remain private?
Yes. Filling out the form on the portal does not provide instant access to your vaccine record. The link to the vaccine record requires a PIN that you create and is sent only to the mobile phone or email that is associated with your immunization record. Only you can decide how and if you want to share your record with others.
Will my scanned information be saved?
No. The QR readers must comply with the SMART Health Card Framework to retrieve the record from the QR code. The guidelines and code of conduct only allow reading of the QR code and prevent storing of the data in the QR code. Only you can decide when to share your vaccine record or QR code.
What should I do with my digital vaccine record?
You can take a screenshot of your vaccine record to store on your mobile device, save the QR code to your device’s camera roll, or print a copy of the record and store in a safe place. If you are at a venue that can read SMART Health Cards, present your copy of your digital vaccine record for scanning. If you lose your digital COVID-19 vaccine record, you can start the process over at the Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record portal.
What if I need to replace my vaccination card?
The portal provides a digital copy of your vaccine record. If you’ve lost your paper vaccine card, you may print out your digital record and use it.
Is this a vaccine passport?
No. You are not required to obtain a digital COVID-19 vaccine record. It is an optional means to obtain your COVID-19 vaccine information, and is the digital version of your paper vaccine card. It is one of the options to show proof of vaccination. The state will not be implementing a mandatory passport system in California.
— Noozhawk managing editor Giana Magnoli can be reached at gmagnoli@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.