“My Vax Records” Provides New Option to Access Vaccine History and QR Code to Verify COVID-19 Vaccination
BOSTON– The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a tool that gives residents a new way to access their COVID-19 digital vaccine card and vaccination history. The new tool, called My Vax Records, allows people who received their vaccination in Massachusetts to access their own vaccination history and generate a COVID-19 digital vaccine card, which would contain similar vaccination information to a paper CDC card. The COVID-19 digital vaccine cards produced by the system utilize the SMART Health Card platform and generate a QR code that can be used to verify vaccination. The Administration is not requiring residents to show proof of vaccination to enter any venue, but this tool will help residents who would like to access and produce a digital copy of their record.
Access the new tool at MyVaxRecords.Mass.Gov.
How It Works: The new tool is easy to use: a person enters their name, date of birth, and mobile phone number or email associated with their vaccine record. After creating a 4-digit PIN, the user receives a link to their vaccine record that will open upon re-entry of the PIN.
The electronic record shows the same information as a paper CDC vaccine card: name, date of birth, date of vaccinations, and vaccine manufacturer. It also includes a QR code that makes these same details readable by a QR scanner, including smartphone apps. Once the SMART Health Card is received, users are able to save the QR code to their phone, such as the Apple Wallet, screenshot the information and save it to their phone’s photos, or print out a copy for a paper record. The system follows national standards for security and privacy.
This system provides an optional way that residents can access their vaccination information and a COVID-19 digital vaccine card. This will provide residents with another tool to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, should it be requested by businesses, local governments, or other entities.
The system leverages the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS), the official database used by health care providers across the state to record vaccination information. The system relies on hundreds of providers inputting demographic and health information. Some users may not be able to immediately find their record, or may find an incomplete record. Residents whose record cannot be found or is incomplete can either contact their health care provider or contact the MIIS team to update their records. Learn more about the tool and view frequently-asked-questions at www.mass.gov/myvaxrecord.
Massachusetts has worked with VCI,™ a voluntary coalition of public and private organizations which developed the open-source SMART Health Card Framework in use by other states. The VCI coalition is dedicated to improving privacy and security of patient information, making medical records portable and reducing healthcare fraud.
My Vax Records is just one way residents can obtain their COVID vaccination record. Pharmacies that administered the COVID vaccine and many health care providers also are making SMART Health Cards available, or are providing additional options. Learn more.
Visit COVID-19 booster frequently asked questions for information about boosters.
Latest Numbers
-
As of 11/3 4,743,156 people in Massachusetts have been fully vaccinated.
Who to Vaccinate this Week
-
Anyone age 5 and older who lives, works, or studies in Massachusetts is eligible for a vaccine. Health care providers can also vaccinate their patient panels regardless of place of residency.
-
New Effective11/2/2021, CDC recommends Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 years. The Pfizer pediatric (5-11 years of age) vaccine formulation:
-
Comes as a multiple dose vial with an orange cap and a label with an orange border
-
The vials and cartons state ‘for age 5 years to <12 years’
-
Must be diluted
-
Primary series of 2 doses (0.2 mL each) 3 weeks apart in individuals 5 through 11 years of age
-
Is NOT interchangeable with the 12 and older formulations
-
See the Factsheet for preparation and administration information
-
CDC webpage on COVID-19 Vaccination for Children 5-11 Years Old
-
Effective 10/21/2021, CDC recommends a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccines in certain populations. There are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. See below for more information.
-
Certain individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine are eligible for a booster shot 6 months or more after their initial series.
-
All people who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine are recommended to get a booster shot if it has been at least 2 months since their primary dose.
-
Effective 8/13/21,CDC recommendsthat people who are moderately to severely immunocompromisedreceive an additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) at least 28 days after the completion of the initial mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series.
What to Know this Week
NewPfizer COVID-19 vaccine authorized by FDA and CDC for children ages 5-11 years
On November 2, 2021, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine.
On 10/29/2021, the FDA amended Pfizer-BioNTech’s Emergency Use Authorization to allow the vaccine to be administered to children ages 5 to 11 years. FDA resources are available at:
As of September 1, 2022, updated Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 boosters are now authorized by the FDA and recommended by the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0901-covid-19-booster.html. These updated boosters will be available in MA starting the week of September 5th.