The reasons for keeping your teen’s COVID-19 vaccination card go beyond just fodder for posting selfies on social media. Proof of your child’s vaccination status could be important for future social activities, medical reasons and even streamlining potential booster shots.
Whether it’s attending in-person class on campus, entertainment venues or traveling, proof of your children’s vaccination may enable them to resume normal activities in the near future and avoid requirements for quarantining or testing.
“I do believe some proof will be needed in the future, especially when flying, to make sure everyone is protected when getting back to some normalcy,” said Dr. Andrea Sims, a pediatrician at Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatrics, Fairlawn. “It’s important to know who has had the vaccine, what restrictions they may have and quarantining guidelines if they’ve been exposed.”
Your teen’s vaccination card will be important for medical reasons, too. For example, if your child is admitted to the hospital and has been vaccinated, doctors can rule out COVID-19 and its known complications when running diagnostic tests.
“We have electronic medical records and the state of Ohio has an immunization database, but that information is not shared across state lines,” said Dr. Sims. “So, if you’re traveling and your child needs to go to the hospital, it will be beneficial to show proof right away, instead of the hospital having to track it down.”
During your teen’s first vaccination appointment, he will receive the 4-by-3-inch card issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It will keep a vital record of when and how many vaccine doses he received, the lot numbers and where he received them.
Dr. Sims recommends families take a photo of the card with their smartphones, if possible, so they have a digital record of it. That way, you will have quick access to it to show proof, if necessary.
Then, store the card at home with the family’s other important documents, such as social security cards, medical records and insurance information. Keep it in a safe place so you can access it when needed. It could save your teen a lot of hassle down the line if he maintains a personal copy of this official record.
“The card is our ticket to show we’re protected and can safely return to some normalcy,” said Dr. Sims. “Kids and teens are being affected quite a bit in terms of isolation and limited activities, so keeping records of vaccination will be important so we can safely get back together.”
Learn more about Akron Children’s COVID-19 response and resources, and ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
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