A practical guide to keeping track of vaccination records

Staying up-to-date on vaccinations and keeping accurate record of those vaccines is crucial for protecting yourself and your loved ones from preventable diseases.

Why keep vaccination records updated?

Your vaccination history helps your healthcare team determine which vaccines you've received, when, and whether you may need boosters or additional vaccinations. Vaccination records are also a critical component of entry into new communities, such as a new school for a child or a new job as an adult.

Melissa Farley, clinical manager for employee occupational health at Sentara, says that up-to-date vaccination records are beneficial in an outbreak or possible exposure to an infectious disease such as pertussis (whooping cough). Knowing your vaccination status allows health departments to provide timely advice or interventions.

“If the health department reaches out to you and says you’ve been in close contact with someone who has whooping cough, which is currently making a comeback, having access to your vaccination records helps you figure out quickly when you last had a tdap shot to protect against it,” Farley explains.

Having your vaccination records readily accessible can also simplify administrative tasks such as school enrollment, employment requirements, or travel documentation.

How to maintain vaccination records

There are several different ways to maintain your vaccination records.

1. Electronic medical records: Many healthcare providers now offer electronic records accessible through portals like Sentara MyChart.
   
   To view your immunization records on Sentara MyChart:
   
   Go to My Record > Health Summary and select the Immunizations tab. You can see the immunizations and the dates you received them. Click the immunization name to learn more. You can also print out your Sentara immunization records from this section of Sentara MyChart.
2. Virginia Immunization Information System (VIIS): A new vaccine reporting mandate went into effect in Virginia, requiring all healthcare providers who administer vaccines to participate in the VIIS, a free statewide registry system that combines immunization histories for persons of all ages.
   
   “Most providers, whether a family care doctor or location such as Walgreens or CVS, are reporting vaccinations to this database, and it’s free to request a copy of your vaccination record,” says Farley.
   
   Request a copy of your immunization records on the VIIS.
   
   For vaccination records outside Virginia, Farley suggests contacting the local health department where you received the vaccine if you need a record of it.
   
   “We have a lot of military in our area and see this often. We refer people back to the state health department or the provider who administered the vaccines to get those records,” she says.
   
   The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) offers an online directory of health departments in the U.S.
3. Paper copies: It may feel a bit “old school,” but Farley says keeping physical copies of your vaccination records, especially for family members, can complement electronic records. This is particularly useful for situations requiring immediate proof, such as school registrations.

Titer testing

If a vaccination record is unavailable, a titer test can help provide documentation a school or workplace may require. The titer blood test detects the presence and measures the amount of antibodies, or immunity, in your blood. These tests help determine:

• If you need a booster vaccine
• Whether a vaccine you had before helped protect you against that specific disease
• If you have had a recent or past infection

Booster vaccines

Farley says that for some vaccines, such as Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR), you may want to talk with your care team about taking a titer test and getting a booster shot if needed.

“Someone born before 1957 was likely infected with these illnesses during childhood. This means they are probably protected,” explains Farley, “But if they’re not sure about their history, or they work in healthcare, are around infants who may not yet be vaccinated for MMR, or are in a community that has experienced an outbreak, it's a good idea to get a titer test to check their level of immunity.”

Whether through electronic medical records, physical copies, or a combination of the two, having access to your vaccination history empowers you to make informed decisions about your health. Stay proactive by updating your records regularly, especially during significant events like school enrollments or community health alerts.

Need to update your vaccinations?

Sentara Medical Group's care team of doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners is ready to provide you with the highest level of personalized, quality care. We offer both primary care locations and pediatric locations to take care of vaccination needs for the entire family. Schedule an appointment online.

Sentara walk-in care locations offer quick, convenient care for minor illnesses, physicals and vaccinations. Skip the wait and reserve your spot online.