BATON ROUGE – As eligibility for coronavirus vaccines continues to grow in Louisiana, more and more people will soon have one of the small white COVID-19 vaccination cards appearing on social media.
“This pandemic has really brought a new level of awareness to the status of the vaccine,” said Dr. Dawn Marcelle, regional medical director for the Louisiana Department of Health for the capital area.
For some, pocket cards are a symbol of honor, equivalent to an “I voted” sticker, but state health leaders say they are much more than that.
“It is an additional form of proof,” said Marcelle. “I say an additional form of proof because each vaccine administered is registered electronically in our state registry.”
Unlike the state’s electronic system, these cards are within reach. While the conversation revolves around a potential ‘vaccine passport’ – which would essentially allow the cardholder to do some pre-pandemic things, be it an event or a trip – Marcelle says not to get rid of it just because she received her vaccines.
“Currently, there is no regulatory use of these white cards, but there is discussion that they might be suitable for travel or participation, or attendance, at large-scale public events at some point in the future,” said Marcelle.
She says it is too premature to predict what exactly these cards might end up being needed for, but she warns, they may also come into play if a COVID-19 booster injection becomes a routine or annual thing in the future, as some experts say. necessary as variants continue to emerge.
“If the booster doses are necessary, either on an annual schedule, or like the regular booster dose, the booster dose against tetanus every ten years, having this card is important because it gives you that date,” said Marcelle. “It helps you to count to know when an additional dose would be required in the future, if that is what it evolves for.”
Although personal vaccination cards are not very common and the pandemic is not yet under control, Marcelle says that having immediate proof of vaccination can be useful, both in the short and long term.
“We want to be prepared in every way and [having a card] it would be part of the preparation to keep people safe and return to formally normal activities, “said Marcelle.
Health officials warn against publishing your vaccination card on social media, but say that keeping a digital copy of the card will also work for any requirements that may be announced.