UPDATE: PROVIDER HIGH ALERT FALSE COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards in Michigan

Hello Immunization Partners,

We have an UPDATE regarding FALSE COVID -19 vaccination record cards: To report suspicious activity involving fake vaccination record cards, please contact the appropriate government agency in your state or jurisdiction, HHS-OIG (1-800-HHS-TIPS or www.oig.hhs.gov); or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov).

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) would like to alert our immunization partners to be aware of FALSE COVID-19 vaccination record cards. The Department has received reports of individuals selling false COVID-19 vaccination record cards and that these cards may be presented at provider offices, local health departments, and other vaccination locations. The Department has also received reports of blank copies of the CDC COVID-19 Immunization Record cards in circulation, which provides opportunities for entering false information.

As always, it is important that you look up your patients in the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) prior to vaccine administration to search for a patient or person in the MCIR to verify their immunization status. This will ensure that you have the correct MCIR immunization record, along with allowing you to verify if the patient has received a dose of COVID-19 vaccine. If you have an out-of-state COVID-19 vaccination record card, review the card for completeness and to ensure that the doses are accurate before entering into the MCIR.

Some important points to keep in mind as you review the COVID-19 vaccination record card:

o   Review the record in the MCIR to compare immunization data.

o   Look for completeness of COVID-19 vaccine information.

o   Review vaccinator information.

o   Look for any abnormalities such as alterations to the text or documentation on the card.

• If the vaccination location is listed on the vaccine record card, please verify with the facility to see if they administered the vaccine. The facility may wish to follow up with its legal counsel if it is determined to be a false record.
• If given the opportunity, try to find out where the person obtained the card.
• If given the opportunity, make a copy of the card. When the COVID-19 vaccination record is handed to you, as a COVID-19 vaccine provider, it becomes part of the medical appointment, and thus part of your documentation, including the potential falsification of immunization documentation. 

Michigan must do its due diligence and be on the lookout for these situations. It is important to report the supplier (the person or company who is manufacturing or supplying), if known, of these false COVID-19 vaccination cards. This is a falsification of a medical record. As a COVID-19 vaccine provider and as a medical professional, any false medical information that is found must be reported as soon as possible.

To report suspicious activity involving fake vaccination record cards, please contact the appropriate government agency in your state or jurisdiction, HHS-OIG (1-800-HHS-TIPS or www.oig.hhs.gov); or the Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov).

The FBI has issued a public service announcement alerting the public about the selling of false COVID-19 vaccination record cards. FBI Public Service Announcement

MCIR Resources:

Infographic—Did your patient receive a COVID-19 vaccine?

COVID-19 Immunizing Providers MCIR

How To Search for a Person in the MCIR - YouTube

Thank you for all your hard work to protect Michiganders from vaccine-preventable diseases!

-The Immunization Nurse Education Team, Andrea, Heidi, Maria, Sarah, and Terri