Will An "Immunity Passport" Allow Us To Travel?

Above, a COVID-19 vaccination card may make international travel easier. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Around about a month ago, I received my second shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. 

I had my vaccination card signed off without any instructions told to me. After reading an RV Travel article about "immunity passports", I find that if I want to travel, especially internationally, I'd better guard it and keep it handy while traveling. 

According to the article by Gail Marsh:

As the nurse handed me my COVID-19 vaccination card, she looked me in the eye and said, “This is a legal form of identification. Protect it as such.” Huh? I’d just received my second dose of Moderna’s COVID vaccine. As I walked back to my car, I examined the “proof of vaccine” card and couldn’t help but wonder about it. As a legal form of identification, the “immunity passport” must have intrinsic value. But how? So you must protect your card – from whom, and why?

An infectious disease specialist, Dr. Amesh Adalja, recently told ABC News: “What these little cards have the potential to do is to make something like international travel easier by avoiding requirements for quarantine or testing.” In other words, vaccinated folks may be able to resume at least some normal pre-COVID activities – if we can prove that we’ve been vaccinated. 

Here’s what I’ve learned about the “COVID Card” or “Immunity Passport”:

• The “proof of vaccine” card has detailed information about the kind of vaccine you were given and when. If boosters are recommended in the future (possibly for variant virus strains), the card will help your health professional know if/when you need a booster shot. 

• Be sure to tell your primary care physician that you’ve received a vaccine. S/he may want a copy of your “proof of immunization” for your health history file. 

• You may need to provide proof of vaccination if you choose to travel (especially across international borders). In addition, you might need the “immunity passport” to get into large venues or gather in large groups (e.g., church, conferences, organized tours). 

• The official CDC card is made from cardstock-type paper. However, it can easily fray, crease, and/or tear if kept in a wallet or purse. Some people recommend taking a cell phone photo of your vaccination card for easy access. Or you can use your printer to make a copy of the vaccination card to carry with you. Staples office supply stores will laminate your vaccination card for free until May 1!

The article suggests keeping the vaccination card where one keeps their Social Security card and U.S. Passport.

There's more information that the article provides.

To read it, go here.