Logan Reed
Keeping track of vaccinations can be challenging, especially as there is no national organization that maintains vaccination records. The CDC, for example, does not keep this information. Typically, vaccination records are provided to the recipient and their parents (in the case of children) and are also kept in the medical records of the administering doctor or clinic. If you need to find out which vaccines you've had, it's recommended that you contact your state's health department, as some states have immunization registries. You can also ask your parents or caregivers if they have records, look through baby books or other childhood documents, and check with previous schools, employers, or the military, as these institutions may have required immunizations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | New York City |
| Online | Visit the CIR website to access your immunization record |
| Mail the completed Immunization Record Request Application | |
| Fax | Fax the completed Immunization Record Request Application |
| Phone | Call 311 to request a copy of the application |
| Email CIR at [email protected] | |
| In-person | Contact your health care provider, school, or local health department |
| Registry | Check the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS) or the Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR) |
| International travel | Know your immunization history and receive needed immunizations before traveling |
| Pregnancy | Share a copy of your immunization record with your health care provider if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy |
| School or work | Provide immunization records for entry and continued attendance at schools, colleges, and certain careers |
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What You'll Learn
Request a vaccine record online
If you live in New York City, you can request a vaccine record online via the NYC Health Department's Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR). The CIR collects New Yorkers' vaccine records to help ensure that people receive life-saving immunizations, monitor vaccination rates, and protect public health. The CIR includes immunization records for people born in NYC after 1995 and records for adults who consent to have their vaccinations reported by their health care provider.
If you cannot request a vaccine record online, you can apply for a record by mailing or faxing a completed application form. You may also call to request that a copy of the application be mailed to you. Record requests by mail or fax take about two weeks to process. If your record is not found in the CIR, you should contact your health care provider and ask them to report your immunization history to the CIR.
If you or your child were not born in New York City, your provider will need a copy of your immunization history to add to the CIR record. You should contact your previous health care provider or the last school you attended for your immunization records. The state where you previously lived may also have your records in its immunization registry. If you moved to New York City from elsewhere in New York State, the immunization record may already be in the CIR. You should contact your previous health care provider, the last school you attended, the New York State Department of Health, or your local (county) health department for your immunization records.
Please note that the NYC Health Department does not provide Lifetime Health Records (commonly known as "yellow cards"). Their immunization records do not replace individual or parent-maintained immunization records, such as the Lifetime Health Record.
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Ask your healthcare provider
If you are based in New York City, you can request a copy of your immunization record by mail, fax, or phone. If you cannot access your record, contact your healthcare provider and ask them to report your immunization history to the Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR). If you were not born in the city, your healthcare provider will need a copy of your immunization history to add to your CIR record. You can also ask your healthcare provider to check the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS) to see if your record is there.
If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, it is important to share a copy of your immunization record with your healthcare provider. They can advise you on which vaccines are necessary and safe for you and your baby.
If you are planning to travel internationally, it is important to know your immunization history to protect yourself and those around you. Your healthcare provider can advise you on which immunizations you may need.
If you are starting or changing jobs in the healthcare field, you will need proof of immunity to certain vaccine-preventable diseases. Your healthcare provider can advise you on which vaccines you may need and provide you with the necessary documentation.
If you have been exposed to a vaccine-preventable disease, your healthcare provider will need your immunization record to determine if you are at risk of contracting the disease.
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Check your school records
Checking your school records is a great way to find out which vaccines you've had. Your vaccination record—also called your immunization record—provides a history of all the vaccines you received as a child and adult. This record is sometimes required for certain jobs, travel abroad, or school registration.
Most schools keep vaccination records on file, and they may keep these records for one or two years after a student leaves or graduates. So, if you're trying to find out which vaccines you've had, contacting your school is a good place to start. Ask your school for information about how long they keep student vaccination records and how you can access them.
If you're a parent, you may need to keep your child's vaccination records in a safe place, beginning with their first vaccine. Schools and childcare facilities often require up-to-date vaccination records for enrolment, and your child may need these records later in life for certain occupations or travel. Athletic programs, sports teams, summer camps, and other activities may also require physical examinations and proof of vaccination.
If you can't find your vaccination records, it's important to stay on the safe side and get vaccinated or revaccinated. It is safe to repeat vaccines, and your doctor can advise you on the best course of action.
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Contact your local health department
If you are unable to find your immunization records online, your local health department may be able to help. In New York City, the Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR) maintains electronic records for people born after 1995 and adults who have consented to have their vaccinations reported by their healthcare provider. You can request a copy of your CIR immunization record to see which vaccines you have had.
If you were not born in the city, your local health department may still be able to help. Contact them to find out if they have a copy of your immunization history or if they can direct you to the correct department. They may request that you mail or fax a completed application form, which you can request by calling their hotline. You may also be able to request a copy of your immunization record by emailing the health department.
If you cannot find your records through the local health department, they may advise you to contact your previous healthcare provider or school, as these organizations may have a copy of your immunization history. If you have moved from out of state, the state where you previously lived may also have your immunization records.
It is important to keep a copy of your immunization records, particularly when changing healthcare providers, schools, or travelling internationally. This will help your healthcare provider determine which vaccine-preventable diseases you are protected against and reduce the need for additional immunizations or tests.
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Check your state's immunization registry
If you live in the United States, you can find your immunization record through your state's IIS (Immunization Information System). The CDC provides contact details for each state's IIS, which you can use to request your records.
For example, if you live in Washington State, you can access your family's immunization information through the Washington State Immunization Information System. You can sign up for MyIR Mobile by visiting myirmobile.com and following the registration instructions. Your registration information will be used to match your records with the state immunization registry. You can also fill out an 'Authorization to Release Immunization Records' form and mail, fax, or email it to the Washington State Immunization Information System.
If you live in New York City, you can request a vaccine record online, by mail, or by fax. If you cannot request a record online, you can apply by mailing or faxing a completed 'Immunization Record Request Application' form. You may also call 311 to request that a copy of the application be mailed to you. If you or your child were not born in the city, your provider will need a copy of your immunization history to add to the CIR record. You should contact your previous healthcare provider or school for your immunization records.
Other states with immunization registries include Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
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Frequently asked questions
You can find out what vaccines you've had by checking your vaccination record. This may be in the form of a physical document or an online record. You can request a copy of your vaccination record from your healthcare provider, county health department, or by submitting a request to a national or state health department.
A vaccination record (also known as an immunization record) is a document that provides a history of all the vaccines you received as a child and adult. This record may be required for certain jobs, travel abroad, or school registration.
If you cannot find your vaccination record, you can try contacting your previous schools, employers, or healthcare providers to see if they have any records of your immunizations. You can also ask your parents or caregivers if they have any records of your childhood immunizations. If all else fails, your healthcare provider may be able to perform blood tests to determine if you have immunity to certain vaccine-preventable diseases.
