Health officials said that everyone will receive vaccination cards before getting the COVID-19 vaccine. This is to monitor the first and second shots of the vaccine. 

COVID-19 vaccines could be released and be given to millions of individuals who belong in tier 1 or 1a before the year ends.

The Centers for Disease and Control Prevention has already identified the first group who will receive the vaccine once developers and manufacturers will be granted emergency use authorization. 

Vaccination Cards

Health officials want to make sure that those who will be receiving COVID-19 vaccines will get the proper shots. According to CNN News, a health official said that everyone will be getting vaccination cards to monitor their first and second shot.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Defense released the first images of a COVID-19 vaccination record card and vaccination kits. The kit includes a vaccination card, a needle and syringe, alcohol wipes, and a surgical mask. This will be given before a person gets the vaccine. 

Vaccine Kit
(Photo : U.S. Department of Defense/EJ Hersom)

Dr. Kelly Moore is the associate director of the Immunization Action Coalition, which is supporting frontline workers who will administer COVID-19 vaccinations.

Dr. Moore explained that vaccination cards will be used as the "simplest" way to keep track of people who are getting the vaccines. 

"Everyone will be issued a written card that they can put in their wallet that will tell them what they had and when their next dose is due. Let's do the simple, easy thing first. Everyone's going to get that," said Dr. Moore.

The coalition wanted to make sure also that those who will be getting the first shot will not miss the second. 

Read also: CDC Advisers to Decide Next Week on Who Gets COVID-19 Vaccine First 


Monitoring of Vaccination Card

Vaccination cards will also be monitored because many might miss the second shot of the vaccine. If this happens, it will forfeit the purpose of having the vaccine. Both the two leading candidate vaccines need to be given in three and four weeks apart subsequently. 

The vaccination clinics will be required to report to their state immunization registries what vaccine was given to the person.

Dr. Moore also shared that many states are now planning to get the contact number of patients so they can text or call them when they due for the next shot. 

Moreover, executive director of the Association of Immunization Managers Claire Hannan said that every dose administered will be reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

However, the CDC did not give any comments on inquiry about whether such a database would include a record of everyone immunized. 

When Are You Going To Get the Vaccine?

Gen. Gustave Perna, Warp Speed's chief operating officer, said last month that they have already prepared around 100 million vaccine kits that are ready to be distributed once the COVID-19 vaccine administration begins.

This is while Pfizer and Moderna are both waiting for their emergency use authorization in the country. 

According to a document from the federal government's Operation Warp Speed, the vaccines' first shipments could happen December 15 and 22 for Pfizer and Moderna subsequently if they received the emergency use authorization from the U.S. FDA. 

Read also: Trump Says COVID-19 Vaccine Deliveries to Begin Next Week