Your COVID-19 vaccine card gives you access to many venues and spaces, but do you have secure, easy access to your card’s valuable information from anywhere?
In many parts of the U.S., presenting a CDC COVID-19 vaccination card opens doors that would otherwise be closed to you.
But the card itself is an awkward size that doesn’t fit into most wallets. And the fact that it needs to be periodically updated with booster shot information means lamination is off the table. Yet we each have to be able to preserve our own card and present it regularly.
Some states have made digital COVID-19 apps and QR codes available, but there is no national online system for proof of vaccination. So, what’s the best way to keep your COVID-19 vaccine card information safe, easy to access, and ready to show when needed?
Some public health experts have recommended taking a photo of your vaccination card and keeping it on your phone – or even saved as your phone’s lock screen – for easy access. This is nearly the equivalent of posting private medical details on social media: anyone who can pick up your phone and unlock it will have your full name, date of birth, and the ability to deduce the approximate location where you live.
This information can be used in aggregate to access other personal accounts you may have and leave you vulnerable to identity fraud.
Instead of keeping a photo of your vaccine card on your phone, upload it to your cloud-based vault. Then do the same for anyone in your family whose medical records you might need to access on a regular basis. This secure option will ensure any personal information included on this medical record is stored in an encrypted digital location that makes it easy to access – but only for those who have permission.
With Prisidio’s mobile app, you can quickly and easily access a photo of your card whenever you need it, without any of the risks associated with the unsecured apps on your smartphone.
If you’ve ever traveled abroad, you’ve probably been advised to keep a copy of your credit cards, passport, and any other critical information back home or in the hands of someone who could help you, should you get pickpocketed or need any assistance while you’re away. The same strategy is good advice for everyone holding a vaccination card today.
(Image credit: Joan Slatkin/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
To ensure your original paper vaccination card is as safe as your digital vaccination card, store it in a secure, firesafe location until it’s time to update that record with booster shot information.
To help you remember where you store the original, add a note about its location to the photo you uploaded to your cloud-based vault. This way, you won’t have to dig through drawers and personal safes to retrieve it when it’s time for your next booster shot.
In April 2021, the White House reiterated that it has no plans to launch a federal vaccination database or implement a vaccine passport program to centralize COVID-19 vaccination records.
However, there are state, local and private health provider programs that streamline vaccine confirmation. And if you were vaccinated at a national pharmacy chain like CVS or Walgreens, you may find that you can provide credible proof of vaccination with their apps, which give you the option of using two-factor authentication for logins from your mobile devices.
Or, if your healthcare provider uses EPIC’s MyChart program and you are enrolled, you may also find that this is a convenient and secure alternative for displaying a digital vaccination card on the go.
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