Laminated CDC cards acceptable?

Oh wow. I remember being told NOT to laminate them.

I'd bet money that by summer no one even cares about vaccination cards. Aren't we already there in many places?

That's a tricky one, at first everyone was really into laminating and then we were told not to do it.

Since you have no choice and you're "stuck," just tell anyone who asks that this is how things were done in your city and everyone did it and it's all perfectly legit. Is it possible someone will question it? Yeah, but it's the same thing with TSA agents and cops, people in those capacities have discretion and sometimes they abuse it. Just politely keep insisting that this is how things are done and everything is fine.

Thank you for the advice. I sincerely appreciate all of it.

I've been in the same situation - I laminated my card and my spouse's when folks were saying it was a smart idea, then shortly after came the stories explaining why maybe it wasn't - rats! My booster dose is also a sticker over the lamination labeled with the date and vaccine type / lot number, while my husband received a second card for his booster.

We have yet to use our cards internationally (and who knows at this rate if we'll need to), but I can say that neither card has been an issue when traveling domestically to places with stringent vaccination requirements. I did print out a copy of my state's health records as a potential backup, but to be honest, those documents look even LESS official! I suspect it would be fine, but it never hurts to have the printout just in case.

Don't forget to take a photo of it on your phone and/or a photocopy.

I purchased a ‘5 pack vaccination card protector 4 x 3 inches’ for our family from Amazon. Right now it’s $3.99 for the 5 pack. Cards fit perfectly.

5 Pack Vaccination Card Protector 4 X 3(4.25 X 3.5) Inches, Transparent CDC Vaccine Card Protector Waterproof Resealable Zip(Covid Vaccination Card Holder), Immunization Record Vaccine Card Holder https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0924NTMSF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_39HT23RQXAN96PRYS1V2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I read on another thread about someone that photocopied their card (both sides) and laminated that. Then they kept the original in their money belt, just in case, but no one ever questioned the validity of the photocopied card. This might even make the sticker look a little more official.

I did what Donna K suggested. I flew in to Frankfurt yesterday. I showed my original CDC card when checking in for my flight and since arriving here I’ve just shown my laminated color copy. No one has questioned it, but one person did ask to see ID to verify the card was mine. Your experience in other countries may be different.

Andrea, how did you get a “colored” copy?

I think she just means a color photocopy, versus a black & white copy. (ie, info written in blue ink would be blue)

I used my laminated card in Spain in October...no problem.

My husband received a sticker on his unlaminated CDC card for his booster, which was at a different vaccine site than the first two shots. The first two lines on the card have only handwritten details, which worked fine in Italy last fall. We both kept our cards in plastic protector pockets, and never had to remove them from those.

The sticker looks a bit odd below the handwriting, and it takes up both the third and fourth lines on the front of the card, for a single dose. It has machine printing (so somehow maybe more official looking?), and repeats his name and birthdate that were handwritten at the top of the card, plus the date of the booster, and the lot number of the vaccine. However, the issuance date was written again in ballpoint ink on the label, and the pharmacy I.D. was handwritten in the third (Healthcare Professional or Clinic Site) column. It looks a bit hodge-podge, with label plus handwriting, and documenting any fourth shot/second booster will need the back side of the CDC card. But it is what it is, and we’re traveling in less than 2 weeks. I’m glad mine is all handwritten, and not laminated either, but labels and/or laminating really shouldn’t cause issues. As long as you’re vaccinated, that’s the main thing!

My wife's CDC card has the first two shots in a printout form, and the booster is handwritten. No humans questioned it on the way to or from France, but the upload service that Delta uses did not seem to care for it and we had to upload it several times before it was accepted.

Mine is the exact same way. I might see if I can get another one from the state health department.

Diane, exactly what mooncusser2k said.