Evaluating concurrency and gaps between self-report and vaccine card data for COVID-19 vaccination

Abstract

We compared self-reported vaccination to vaccine card data to assess concurrency in a sample of Black young adults in Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina. We described vaccine card versus self-reported data over time and examined discrepancies in reporting between these two sources. Results indicated strong currency suggesting collection of self-reported data may be an acceptable proxy to requiring official vaccine documentation. However, since 58 % of participants did not upload a vaccine card, finding should be applied with caution. Minor differences were found and were generally due to boosters that were self-reported but were not on cards. The discrepancy in number of vaccines and boosters was likely because COVID-19 vaccination has become routine and vaccine cards are not being updated regularly. At this stage in the pandemic and for other vaccinations that become routine and are administered at pharmacies, self-report may be a reliable indication of the number of vaccinations received.