You may not want to laminate your COVID-19 vaccine card after all – here’s why

ORLANDO, Fla. – You only have to watch a few scrolls on your favorite social media platform to know that people today are proud to own COVID-19 vaccination cards.

The cards are as special to some as a golden ticket and should therefore be treated as such.

To keep the cards in top condition for a long time, some stores have offered to laminate them for free, but according to CBS News, some health officials warn that you may need to think twice before doing that, especially if you’ve opted for a dual vaccine.

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Not only can the card get damaged or the ink become illegible in the process, the network reports, but both Pfizer and Moderna require two doses, while Johnson & Johnson’s inclusion is a one-and-done situation.

Regardless of which shot you choose, you’ll be given a vaccination card courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as soon as you get vaccinated for the first time.

The card contains personal information – which is why experts have recommended that you do not post photos of it online – as well as details about your admission, such as when and where you received it and the vaccine manufacturer and batch number.

I know, you’re excited because you’ve been waiting for what feels like forever for that extra layer of protection against COVID-19. You’re proud of that card and want to keep it for as long as possible, so driving to the nearest Staples to get it laminated might seem like the right choice.

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But if you’ve gotten the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, you’ll definitely want to hold off on laminating because your chart should be updated in a few weeks anyway when you return for that second dose.

If you choose to get the J&J, you may not need a second injection, but with one of these vaccines, health officials haven’t ruled out the possibility that you might need a booster along the way.

If and when booster shots are needed they should be added to your map.

So yes, it is important to keep the card safe, especially as all the information it contains may be needed later.

But instead of doing something permanent like lamination, you might consider storing your card in a clear protective case, just like the baseball card collectors use to keep them safe. That way you have the option to remove it when you need it and then put it back safely away.