Unsure whether you’ve been vaccinated against polio? How to find your NC shot record
Though there have been no confirmed cases of polio in North Carolina, the resurgence of the virus has many probably investigating whether they are currently protected against it.
Immunizations have been a part of American medicine since the first health departments in the U.S. were formed in 1908, according to the Immunization Action Coalition.
By 1993, immunization registries were rolled out on a national level with the goal of having at least 95% of vaccinated individuals participating in the record-keeping systems by 2010.
Such registries have been accessible for those who are reviewing their records for any indication of past polio or smallpox vaccine. Others who do not participate in immunization registries rely on paper records with a timeline of vaccinations they have received from birth to the present-day .
How to know whether you’ve been vaccinated against polio
Most people have received the recommended dosage of the polio vaccine. The CDC recommends that every child receive four doses of the vaccine spread out from ages 2 months to 6 years old.
On a national level, the polio vaccine is required for children entering kindergarten, with the exception of medical or “philosophical” exemptions in some states. Approximately 93% of all 2020-2021 kindergarteners in the United States received all four doses of the polio vaccine last year, the CDC reports.
Almost every parent in the United States is provided with a paper copy of their child’s immunization records.
What do I do if I can’t find my immunization records?
If you are unsure about the status of your immunizations, there may be a way to inquire about your records, assuming you don’t have a copy of them.
Nearly 30 states allow patients to request their immunization records through online forms, email, or mobile apps. In states that don’t provide easy access to immunization records, it can take days, or even weeks, to get your hands on records.
In North Carolina, healthcare providers have access to the North Carolina Immunization Registry (NCIR), a secure, web-based clinical registry that keeps North Carolina immunization information.
The NCIR is a more efficient substitute for the antiquated practice of keeping handwritten immunization cards throughout the course of your entire life. However, although it’s much safer than having to keep track of perishable records on your own, the registry is not available for public use.
How to access the online immunization registry in North Carolina
For the most part, access to the NCIR is reserved for use by healthcare providers and medical professionals, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Although you can’t access your records without authorization, you can still ask your doctor or clinic to check on the status of your vaccinations, or if they are even entered into the registry at all.
A child vaccinated around 2005 has a greater chance of being included in the registry due to an increase in registry participation, the NCDHHS states.
However, finding a complete history of your vaccinations won’t be available through the NCIR if you received them in another state.
Not included in the NCIR. Here are the options
Aside from asking parents if they have a copy of your immunization charts and inquiring about registry participation with your healthcare provider, the NCDHHS says the following institutions may also have them:
Previous healthcare providers
Pharmacies and clinics
K-12 schools, colleges and universities
The military (for veterans or active duty members)
Can you be vaccinated multiple times against polio or other viruses?
If you still haven’t found any information regarding your vaccination history and you’re worried about accidentally receiving a double dose, the NCDHHS says it’s safe to be revaccinated.
“Generally, both children and adults will be considered susceptible to disease and should be vaccinated (or revaccinated). It is not harmful to receive additional vaccine doses,” the NCDHHS states on its website.
The NCDHHS encourages those who want to receive a vaccination (or revaccination) to first discuss the best course of action with their healthcare provider.
This story was originally published August 24, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
