My Vax Records frequently asked questions for residents

Frequently ask questions about the My Vax Records website and how to use it.

This tool is one way to obtain your digital vaccine card. This tool is available for residents so they can use a digital vaccine card to demonstrate proof of COVID vaccination if they choose. If you want to access your digital COVID vaccine card through your vaccine provider or through another method, visit: www.mass.gov/myvaxrecord.

Residents will also be able to download a complete history of their vaccine records (including vaccinations for diseases other than COVID).

If you are unable to locate your record, or to report discrepancies in immunization records, click here to submit a request for further assistance.

Table of Contents

How to use My Vax Records

How do I access my record or digital vaccine card?

For step-by-step instructions on how to use this tool, click here. This portal is one way to obtain your digital vaccine card and can also be used to access your full vaccination record. For other methods of retrieving your COVID vaccination record, visit: www.mass.gov/myvaxrecord.

 

How does this tool work? 

This portal enables residents to obtain their own vaccination records from the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS), a web-based system in which health care providers are required to report any vaccines they administer. With this tool, you may access, save, and share vaccination records for any vaccines you received in Massachusetts. It will allow you to download a digital vaccine card to demonstrate proof of COVID vaccination if you choose.

This tool allows residents to obtain a complete history of their vaccinations, which can be used for a number of purposes. For example, this vaccination history could be used to provide proof of common childhood vaccinations for students’ participation in activities like school or summer camps, when required by those institutions.

Are there other ways to get my COVID-19 immunization records other than using My Vax Records?

Yes. There are several ways to find your immunization history. My Vax Records is just one way. For additional options please visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/requesting-a-copy-of-your-covid-19-vaccination-record.

How will my vaccine record be delivered to me?

When a vaccination record is found that matches the demographic and contact information you entered, you will receive a link delivered to the email or mobile phone number associated with the vaccination record. This link is how you will access your digital vaccine card and full vaccination record. After entering your four-digit PIN that you created during your request for your record, you will see your vaccination information including your name, date of birth, address, vaccination date(s), and type of vaccine. You will also have the option of creating a scannable QR code (in the form of a SMART Health Card) which can be used to confirm your COVID vaccine record is authentic.

What is a SMART Health card?

Massachusetts’ digital vaccine cards use the SMART Health Card platform, which is also used by many other states for similar vaccine verification programs. SMART Health Cards are paper or digital versions of your COVID vaccination record. They allow you to keep a copy of your records on hand and easily share this information with others if you choose. When scanned by a SMART Health Card reader, Massachusetts’ COVID-19 digital vaccine card will display all relevant information to the scanner, including your name, date of birth, COVID-19 vaccine dates and vaccine type. The QR code confirms the vaccine record as an official record of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For more information about SMART Health Cards visit https://smarthealth.cards/en/faq.html

Can I save my vaccine record if I do not have a smart phone?

Yes. You can print your vaccine record or COVID-19 digital vaccine card or save it to a computer.

Saving your SMART health card on your phone

Can I save my COVID-19 SMART Health Card on MY smart phone?

Yes. Instructions are below:

iPhone: You will need to use your Safari web browser to complete the process to save this on your iPhone. Important! Please be sure you are using the most current version of Safari.

To add to Apple Health and Wallet (Must be using the iOS 15.1 or later):

Add to Apple icon
  1. Click the Add to Apple Wallet & Health icon located under the COVID-19 SMART Health Card icon.
    1. Follow your iPhone prompts to add to Apple Wallet and Health.

OR

  1. Open the SMART Health Card through Safari web browser.
    1. Take a screen shot of the SMART Health Card.
    2. Open the photo, then press and hold until you see “Open in Health”.
    3. Select “Open in Health” to add to Apple Health.
    4. Follow your iPhone prompts to add it to your wallet.

OR

  1. You can save your COVID-19 vaccine record to the Apple Health app with the iOS 15 operating system by scanning the SMART Health Card with your iPhone. To scan a SMART Health Card: 
    1. Open the SMART Health Card on another phone, computer or print on paper.
    2. Open your phone’s camera and point it at the QR code to scan. 
    3. Follow your iPhone prompts to add it to the Health app and wallet.

OR

  1. Additional option if you can only open the SMART Health Card on your own iPhone: 
    1. Open the SMART Health Card through Safari web browser.
    2. Press and hold the SMART Health Card until a menu appears. 
    3. At the bottom of the menu select, “Open in Health”. 
    4. It will then ask you to select “Add to Wallet and Health” 

METHODS FOR SAVING TO IPHONE (NOT ADD TO APPLE HEALTH):

  1. To download a copy of your SMART Health Card (not add it to Apple Health):
    1. Open the SMART Health Card through Safari web browser.
    2. Click the “download” button on the top left corner of the SMART Health Card.
    3. Go to your web browser's address bar, a blue circle with an up arrow should be displayed on the left side of the address bar. Click it.
    4. A menu will appear. Select, “Downloads”.
    5. Your SMART Health Card will be visible as a file to open and save where you choose. 

OR

SAVE TO CAMERA ROLL

  1. Alternatively, you can take a screenshot of your full Vaccine Record and the COVID-19 SMART Health Card and save it to your camera roll.

For more information visit Apple Support.

ANDROID PHONE: To add to Google Pay you will need to use the Common Health app to integrate it to your Google wallet.

OR

You can take a screenshot of your full Vaccine Record and the COVID-19 SMART Health Card and save it to your camera roll. 

If I get an additional COVID dose, will it show on my SMART Health Card?

Your digital vaccine card does not automatically update. If you receive an additional dose (including a booster shot) of the COVID-19 vaccine, you'll have to get a new QR code through the MIIS Patient Access Portal. 

How long will it take for my vaccine record to be updated in the state database so that I can update my digital vaccine card?

Health care providers vary in the length of time it takes to submit dose information to the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS). We recommend waiting up to 3-4 days for your COVID-19 doses and up to 10 days for any other doses to show up in the system. 

Why can’t I see all my COVID-19 doses in my Apple Wallet?

The Apple Wallet only displays the 4 most current doses of your COVID-19 vaccination history. This is an Apple configuration and is not controlled by the MDPH.

The MyVaxRecords SMART Health Card will display up to 5 COVID-19 doses and can be saved or screen shot to save in your photos. If you have received 5 or more doses, they are still stored in Apple Health. To view:

  1. Open the Vaccine Card in Apple Wallet
  2. Select the ‘i’ or “…” icon on the upper right
  3. All the immunizations should be visible

Additionally, all doses will appear on your patient certificate, which can be printed from MyVaxRecords.gov.

Why is my COVID-19 dose appearing as a CVX number (ex. 299, 301, 304) when I add it to Apple Health or Google Wallet?

This is an Apple/Google configuration issue. When new vaccines are available, they require a system configuration to occur in order to display properly on their devices. This is not a MyVaxRecords issue. Please ensure your mobile device is running the latest software version, which will include the new vaccines codes. Please note, in order to see the update, you may need to request a new SMART Health Card from MyVaxRecords.mass.gov to add to your mobile device.

Record not found or incorrect

What if my record is not found?

If you were vaccinated in Massachusetts, your vaccine provider is responsible for reporting your vaccination record to the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS), but they may have provided information that's incomplete, including misspellings. It’s likely your vaccine record is in the MIIS but some of your demographic information may be missing, incomplete, or does not match with the information you are entering to look up your record. 

Examples include:

  • Mobile phone number or email address was not submitted by your provider or does not match the phone number or email address you are entering into the online form
  • Name is spelled differently
  • Date of birth does not match

Some steps to find your record: 

  • Re-enter your information with another version of your name (maiden, a different spelling a provider may enter, etc.)
  • Re-enter your information with a different email or mobile number that your provider may have in their files for you and that you still have access to. (Please note, entering an old phone number/email will not help you if you no longer have access to that number since the secure code will be sent to the matching phone number/email.)
  • If your record still isn’t found, contact the Massachusetts health care provider who administered your COVID or other vaccine doses or your current health care provider. They can update your record in the MIIS application.

​​​​If you are unable to contact your healthcare provider, you may utilize our electronic amendment form request system to submit a request for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) to further investigate your vaccination record. Please note that the request process requires submission of additional information and supplemental documentation. This process may take up to 10 business days.

What if I was vaccinated by a federal agency (e.g., Department of Defense, Indian Health Services, or Veterans Administration)?

Federal agencies generally do not report their vaccine records to the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS). If you received your vaccination from a federal facility, please contact them for assistance with your vaccination records.

Veterans Affairs: The VA is now reporting vaccines administered to veterans; however, they will not be available in in real time. Immunizations veterans received at the VA may take a few months to appear in My Vax Records. If your vaccination does not appear on your My Vax Record, please query the portal again in a few weeks. Please note, the VA is not reporting employee immunization data to the MIIS.

Alternatively, you are welcome to request that your Massachusetts healthcare care provider report the vaccines you received at a federal agency, including the VA, as “historical vaccines." 

If you are unable to contact the provider who administered the vaccines in question, or your current healthcare provider, you may utilize our electronic amendment form request system to submit a request for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) to update your immunization record. You may make the request here: MDPH MIIS Record Amendment Request.

What if I was vaccinated out of state?

Providers administering vaccines outside of Massachusetts are not required to report vaccine events to the MIIS. You are welcome to request that your Massachusetts-based healthcare provider add the vaccines you received out of state to the MIIS as a “historical vaccine.”

What if I was vaccinated at my school or college? 

Schools and colleges that administer immunizations in Massachusetts are required to report those vaccinations to the MIIS. If your vaccine record is missing from the MIIS – My Vax Records Portal, please contact the school that administered the vaccine to request that they report it to the state’s system. 

What if my vaccine record is incorrect?

If the information on your vaccine record is incorrect (e.g., missing dose, wrong dates, or incorrect brand), please contact your Massachusetts health care provider to request that they correct your vaccine record in the MIIS.

If you are unable to contact the provider who administered the vaccines in question or your current healthcare provider, you may utilize the electronic amendment form request system

  • To submit a request for the MDPH to update your clinical immunization record
    • Please note that there are limitations as to what clinical changes MDPH can make to an immunization record and that the request process requires submission of associated documentation 
  • MDPH will complete the review process within 10 business days of receipt of the required information and materials
  • MDPH will make the requested clinical updates to the immunization record if all required documentation is submitted
  • The submitter will be notified of the outcome of the review process via email
  • Please review the Clinical Immunization Record Amendment Request requirements page to ensure you have the materials required readily available before beginning the electronic form submission process

​​​​If you are unable to get in touch with your health care provider and you do not want to use the electronic amendment form request system, you may submit a Clinical Immunization Record Amendment Form

  • Please note that this form and associated documentation must be submitted via MAIL or FAX and that processing will take 10 business days. 
  • Please review the following in detail for more information about this process: Record Found: Clinical Immunization Record Amendment Form.

​​​​​What should I do if I notice a demographic error? (e.g., name spelled incorrectly, old phone number listed)

If you notice a demographic error on your vaccine record, you may contact your current Massachusetts health care provider who can update your record in the Massachusetts Immunization Information System.

If you are unable to contact the provider who administered the vaccines in question or your current health care provider, you can use our electronic amendment form request system to submit a request for the MDPH to update the demographic information on your immunization record:

  • Please note that MDPH is limited as to the demographic changes we can make to an immunization record and the request process requires submission of documentation.
  • MDPH will complete the review process within 10 business days of receipt of the required information and materials.  
  • The submitter will be notified of the outcome of the review process via email. 
  • Please review the Amendment form request system  to ensure you have the materials required readily available before beginning the electronic form submission process.

If you are unable to get in touch with your health care provider and you do not want to use the electronic amendment form request system, you may submit a Record Found: Demographic Immunization Record Amendment Form:

  • Please note that this form and associated documentation must be submitted via MAIL or FAX and that processing will take 10 business days. 
  • Please review the following in detail for more information about this process: Record Found: Demographic Immunization Record Amendment Form. 

Why aren’t all the immunizations I’ve received over my lifetime on my record?

The My Vax Records Portal sources its immunization data from the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS), which began accepting data from healthcare providers in 2011.

Healthcare providers who administer immunizations in Massachusetts are mandated by law to report all current immunization data to the MIIS. If your immunizations were administered prior to 2011, or out of state, your immunizations will not be available in the My Vax Records portal unless your provider reported those vaccines as historical doses.

If you are unable to contact the provider who administered the vaccines in question, or your current healthcare provider, you may utilize our electronic amendment form request system to submit a request for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) to update your immunization record. You may make the request here: MDPH MIIS record amendment request.

Technical troubleshooting

I didn’t receive a text message, what do I do? 

Try to resubmit your request a second time and ensure that you entered your mobile number correctly. 

If you still do not get a text message, your phone carrier could be blocking or holding the text as spam. Please contact your phone carrier to request they remove the block. 

You can also visit Report a technical problem.

I am receiving an error message, what do I do?

Please submit a Problem with Accessing Your Vaccination Record electronic form. Please provide as much detail as possible and complete all the fields on the form. The information you provide will allow us to investigate and resolve the issue quickly. If you are unable to access the form, please call 211 for assistance.

 

I’m trying to add my dependents COVID-19 SMART Health Card to my Apple Health app, but it’s giving me an error message, “Vaccination Already Added”. Why can’t I add them?

The "Vaccination Already Added" message occurs when the SMART Health Card has the exact same COVID vaccinations present on another SMART Health Card already in the Health app. This means the administration date, vaccine type, and lot number are the same on each vaccine on the SMART Health Cards. Apple is aware of this issue.

I added my COVID-19 SMART Health Card to Apple Health, but it states, “Not Valid”. Is there something wrong with my record?

If you are receiving a "Not Valid" message after you’ve added your COVID-19 SMART Health Card to Apple Health, it is likely due to a disconnection in service between your phone and Apple’s servers. Please ensure you have WIFI/Cellular Data on for Apple Health and try again.

Privacy and access

Will my information remain private?

Yes. Filling out the form does not provide instant access to your vaccine record. The link to the vaccine record requires a PIN that you create and is sent only to the mobile phone or email that is associated with your immunization record.

The SMART Health Card is a secure copy of your COVID-19 vaccination record and is optional for you to use. If you choose to use the SMART Health Card to share your vaccine record, the QR code linked to your SMART Health Card can only be scanned and read by a SMART Health Card-compliant device. SMART Health Card readers only display your data and do not store any of your information. More information is available at https://smarthealth.cards.

Can I reset my PIN?

Yes. You have 24 hours from the time you receive the link to enter your four-digit PIN and access your Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record. If you don't, the link to your digital record will expire, but you can start over and reset your pin through the MIIS Public Access Portal.

If you can't remember your PIN, after 24 hours you can use the same process and create a new PIN.

NOTE: Once you access your digital record and have saved your QR code, it does not expire.

How do I log out of my immunization record screen that was reached using my secure PIN?

There is no log out. Simply close the browser tab to exit the screen. The next time you access your My Vax Record, you will be prompted again for your PIN.

Is it mandatory that I obtain a digital vaccine card? 

No. You are not required to obtain a digital vaccine card. This tool offers an optional means to obtain your vaccine information and is the digital version of your COVID-19 paper vaccine card. 

What if I need to replace my paper vaccination card?

The MDPH cannot provide you with a replacement CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Card. The MIIS Public Access Portal provides a digital copy of your vaccine record. If you’ve lost your paper vaccine card, you may print out your digital record and use it. For more information go to https://www.mass.gov/info-details/requesting-a-copy-of-your-covid-19-vaccination-record

What happens to my information after I share the QR code?

Your COVID-19 SMART Health Card shows the same information as your paper CDC vaccine card if it was reported to the MIIS by the provider who administered your vaccines. You may ask organizations that scan your QR code how they will use your data or if they will keep it. Only you can decide how and when to share your QR code.

How do I access my child or dependent’s vaccine record?

If you are a parent or guardian, please enter the request with the information of the child/dependent including the phone number/email that you/they would have on file with the provider who administered their vaccines. You will need to request the vaccine record individually for each person even if your dependents have the same phone and email address. You will receive separate links for each vaccine record

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