Immunization Records: How to Locate Proof of Vaccination
Need Your Immunization Record? Here’s Where to Look
If you need a copy of your immunization record, start with the state where you received your vaccination.
Most states maintain a secure, electronic Immunization Information System (IIS) that stores vaccination records submitted by medical providers and pharmacies. While some states began using these systems as early as the 1990s, the widespread adoption of electronic health records increased after Congress passed the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act in 2009.
How to Find Your Record
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains a directory of state immunization registries and contact information.
CDC State Immunization Directory
Records Before Electronic Systems
If your vaccinations were received before electronic record-keeping was widely available, your records may still be available from:
- Your doctor’s office
- A former clinic or hospital
- A school or employer that required proof of vaccination
If you do not have paper copies and records cannot be located, laboratory testing may be an option.
Titer testing (Proof of Immunity)
If you are required to show proof of vaccination but cannot find your immunization records, a titer test may help.
A titer test is a blood test that checks for antibodies, which can show immunity from either a vaccination or past infection. Titers tests may be used to check for immunity to diseases such as measles, varicella (chickenpox), and hepatitis, among others.
Contact your health care provider for more information on testing and if it will meet your documentation needs.