After running out of CDC cards, a San Mateo mass vaccination site gave out photocopies; here’s how that can derail travel plans

Foster City, CA (KGO)-As the COVID-19 Delta variant becomes more widespread, more and more venues require vaccination proof to enter. And those 4 x 3 inch CDC vaccination cards are the most widely accepted proof. However, it turns out that tens of thousands of vaccinated people in San Mateo County did not get one of these official cards.

Related: Hold on to that COVID-19 vaccination card-it’s important

This can affect people vaccinated at San Mateo County mass vaccination sites. Instead of getting an official CDC vaccination card with handwritten data, I got two 8 and a half x 11 copy sheets containing the copied information. At least one cruise line said it wasn’t enough to get one of the viewers on board.

“By 11:30, it’s the Xerox newspaper,” said Jane Bertelsen of Foster City. Jane was one of the first people to get the COVID vaccine in January at the San Mateo County Event Center’s mass vaccination site.

“It was fast and surprisingly efficient. We went in and out there and went home in less than an hour. I thought everything was fine. It’s not a big deal,” she says. I did.

Four months later, until when she and her friend booked a cruise to Barbados. Carriers and local governments have requested vaccination certification to board the ship.

“When I got the two vaccines, I was only given a copy of the CDC card … and I think the copy of the CDC card should have been given properly,” Bertelsen said.

video: A doctor in Napa was arrested for selling a fake COVID-19 vaccine, an immune card, DOJ said.

San Mateo County was found to have failed to provide a CDC card at the vaccination site where about 100,000 people were vaccinated. Instead, they distributed one copy for each dose on a sheet of paper.

Bertelsen contacted the county health department. Was this her proof?

“He said,” You’re okay. What you have is perfectly legal. Otherwise we won’t give you it, and you use it anytime, anywhere, anywhere You should be able to do it. “” Bertelsen remembered.

So she contacted Seabourn Cruises. “And they say,” No, it’s not at all, you need to have a CDC card. We don’t make a copy of the card on one copy paper. You’re a real card Must have. “” “

Related: A fake COVID-19 vaccination card allegedly sold at a bar in San Joaquin County.The owner was arrested

I showed a cruising expert a Bertelsen vaccine document. “Cruise guy“Stewart Chiron.” I’ve seen immigration officers denying entry because of the documents presented, but they didn’t consider it genuine. “

“The paperwork you just showed me,” Chiron continued.

He says the copy raises suspicions that it may be fake.

The FBI has already warned of attempts to create counterfeit CDC cards.

Related: Unvaccinated people who pay more for some cruises

According to Chiron, the CDC card is one of the globally recognized vaccination proofs for travelers from the United States to abroad. Even state records may not be easily accepted.

“It’s best to know what it is. Everyone is universally looking for a trip from the United States to an overseas destination, as you know, that’s the CDC card,” Chiron said. Said.

This will bring you back to Bertelsen. Not only was she worried about taking a cruise, she now needs vaccination proof at many local venues.

I asked the county health department why I gave them a copy.

Vaccine tracker: The status of CA when the coronavirus vaccine can be given is as follows.

A spokeswoman said it was not intended as official evidence. This page contains information about the reminders of the second dose and the side effects of the vaccine. According to them, a piece of paper “reduced the chance of being lost or ignored.”

And a spokesperson said the “official” evidence is on the state’s website.

However, Bertelsen’s record on the website was incorrect-indicating that she had obtained two different vaccines.

“But I can’t show them the wrong record,” Bertelsen told county officials over the phone.

After 7 On Your Side was involved, the county not only revised the state record, but also handed her the original CDC card.

Now she is heading to Barbados.

“I am very grateful to be on the boat … I take a deep breath, drink a cocktail and say,’Thank God for being here,’” she said.

After our report, San Mateo’s public health authorities say they are distributing those original CDC cards instead. However, if you get a copy, you can request a card or get an official proof. State website..

See more stories and videos by Michael Finney and 7 on your side.

Do you have questions for Michael and the 7 On Your Side team?Fill out the form here!! 7OYS Consumer Hotline is a free consumer brokerage service for people in the San Francisco Bay Area. We help individuals with consumer-related problems. We cannot support cases between businesses, family law, criminal cases, landlord / renter disputes, labor issues, medical issues, etc. Please check this FAQ.. As part of the process of assisting you, you need to contact the company / agency you are writing. If you do not wish to be contacted, please let us know immediately. Affects the ability to handle cases. Please note that due to the large number of emails, it may take 3-5 business days to reply.