Need California vaccine records for school, child care, college, a health care job, travel, immigration, military paperwork, or personal files? California’s official Digital Vaccine Record portal can help you access vaccine history reported to the California Immunization Registry, called CAIR. This guide explains the online request, 4-digit PIN, QR code, school Blue Card, CAIR Help Desk, provider/pharmacy records, and what to do when a vaccine is missing or wrong.
To request California vaccine records, start with the official Digital Vaccine Record portal from CDPH. Enter your name, date of birth, mobile phone or email, and create a 4-digit PIN. If your information matches a record in CAIR, you can open the secure link and save or print the available vaccine record.
Official portal: California Digital Vaccine RecordIf the record is missing, incomplete, or not accepted by a school or employer, contact the provider or pharmacy that gave the vaccine, your school or child care office, your local health department, or the CAIR Help Desk. A missing online result does not always mean the vaccine was never given.
💉 Immunization Record Tools
Free interactive tools to find, verify, and plan your vaccine records — all data verified May 2026
🏛️ Instant State IIS Record Finder
Select your state to get the official portal link, phone number, app availability, and exact turnaround time — all verified May 2026.
🔎 Where Should I Look for My Records?
Answer 4 quick questions and get a personalised ranked list of exactly which sources to check first for your situation.
🔬 Titer Test Need Calculator
Select your situation to see exactly which titer tests you need, accepted immunity thresholds, and current self-pay costs.
⚡ Emergency Record Guide — How Long Do You Have?
Select your deadline and get a step-by-step, time-specific action plan to get your records as fast as possible.
What Is CAIR for California Vaccine Records?
CAIR means California Immunization Registry. It is California’s secure immunization information system for vaccine records reported by providers, pharmacies, clinics, and other authorized users. CDPH directs people looking for their immunization record to the Digital Vaccine Record portal to download a copy of records available from CAIR.
Official CDPH CAIR page: California Immunization RegistryCAIR is not the same thing as your full medical chart. It is a vaccine registry. Your doctor, pharmacy, hospital portal, school, college, employer clinic, military clinic, previous state registry, or old paper record may still hold vaccine history that is missing from the digital lookup.
Official DVR FAQ: Digital Vaccine Record Q&AUse the Digital Vaccine Record portal when you want a quick online copy from CAIR.
Start DVR requestAsk the doctor, clinic, pharmacy, or local health department that gave the vaccine.
CDPH record guidanceFor school and child care, California uses immunization records and the Blue Card process.
Shots for SchoolWhat Is the California Digital Vaccine Record?
The California Digital Vaccine Record, often called DVR, is the public online tool that lets Californians request a digital copy of vaccine information available from CAIR. The record may include your name, date of birth, vaccination dates, vaccine names, future vaccine recommendations, and a QR code for certain records.
Official portal: Digital Vaccine Record| DVR item | What it does | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Request form | Searches for a matching CAIR record using your details. | Use the legal name, date of birth, phone, or email linked to the vaccine visit. |
| 4-digit PIN | Unlocks the secure record link sent to you. | Choose a PIN you can remember and keep it private. |
| Text or email link | Sends access to the digital record if a match is found. | Try the phone or email used at the vaccine appointment if the first search fails. |
| QR code | May support digital proof for selected vaccine records. | Ask the receiving office whether it accepts the QR code or needs a printed copy. |
| All-vaccine view | May show more than COVID-19 when records were reported to CAIR. | The FAQ notes not all vaccines may have been reported to CAIR. |
How to Request and Download California Vaccine Records Step by Step
Use this order because it starts with the fastest official online option and then moves to the people who can fix missing or incorrect vaccine data.
- Open the official Digital Vaccine Record portal. Use the California state portal, not a copied link from a random lookup site. Vaccine records contain private health information.
- Enter your matching details carefully. Use the legal name, date of birth, mobile phone number, or email address most likely connected to the vaccine appointment or CAIR record.
- Create your 4-digit PIN. You may need this PIN to open the secure link. Do not share it with anyone who does not need access to your private health information.
- Open the secure link sent by text or email. If a match is found, open the link and review the record for name, date of birth, vaccine dates, and missing doses.
- Download, save, or print the record. Keep one secure PDF copy and one printed copy. Ask your school, employer, college, or travel office what format it accepts.
- If a vaccine is missing, call the provider or pharmacy first. The place that administered the vaccine is usually the best source to confirm whether the dose was reported and whether identity details were entered correctly.
- Use CAIR Help Desk support when needed. If the provider says the record should be in CAIR but the portal still fails, contact CAIR Help Desk through the official help routes.
What Your Downloaded California Vaccine Record May Show
A California Digital Vaccine Record may show information reported to CAIR, including your name, date of birth, vaccine dates, vaccine names, and future vaccine recommendations. For certain records, it may also include a QR code that can be saved or shown when accepted.
Official FAQ: What is included in my DVR?| Record part | Why it matters | Check before using |
|---|---|---|
| Name and date of birth | Schools and employers compare this to your ID or enrollment file. | Make sure spelling and date of birth are correct. |
| Vaccine names | Programs may ask for MMR, varicella, Tdap, hepatitis B, flu, COVID-19, or other vaccines. | Confirm the required vaccine names match the request. |
| Dose dates | Many requirements depend on exact dates and spacing. | Check every date before uploading. |
| QR code | May help with supported digital proof. | Ask the receiving office whether it accepts QR code proof. |
| Future recommendations | May help you discuss future vaccines with a provider. | Do not treat it as personal medical advice without a clinician. |
California School, Child Care and Blue Card Vaccine Records
California schools and child care programs check immunization records for new admissions and grade-specific requirements. CDPH’s Shots for School resources include the California School Immunization Record, also called the CSIR, Blue Card, or CDPH 286. School and child care staff use the Blue Card or an equivalent record to document immunization information.
Official school resources: CDPH implementation tools and Blue Card resourcesFor a parent, the practical move is simple: bring a personal immunization record, provider printout, Digital Vaccine Record, pharmacy record, or other official vaccine proof to the school or child care office. The school may transfer the dates to the Blue Card or equivalent record. Do not create a fake school record or edit vaccine dates yourself.
Blue Card PDF: California School Immunization Record CDPH 286| School situation | Likely proof needed | Best action |
|---|---|---|
| Child care or preschool | Age-appropriate immunization record. | Use DVR, pediatrician, pharmacy, local health department, or school file. |
| TK or kindergarten | Required vaccines documented before entry. | Ask the school what record format it accepts and start early. |
| 7th grade | Updated immunization record, including grade-level requirements. | Ask about Tdap and current requirement review before school starts. |
| Transfer from another state | Out-of-state vaccine record reviewed by the school or provider. | Contact the previous state registry and bring provider records. |
| Missing dose | Provider confirmation, catch-up plan, or official record correction. | Call the pediatrician, clinic, or local health department quickly. |
California Medical Exemptions and CAIR-ME
California medical exemptions for school and child care are handled through CAIR-ME, the California Immunization Registry Medical Exemption site. Parents or guardians can start a request, and the child’s California-licensed physician can issue the exemption through CAIR-ME when appropriate.
Official CAIR-ME site: California CAIR-ME| Exemption issue | What it means | Best action |
|---|---|---|
| Medical exemption request | Parent/guardian begins a CAIR-ME request. | Use the official CAIR-ME site and follow CDPH instructions. |
| Physician role | A California-licensed MD or DO issues the exemption through CAIR-ME. | Talk to the child’s physician before starting school paperwork. |
| School copy | The physician provides the official exemption form copy when issued. | Give the required copy to the school or child care program. |
| Fake forms | Handmade or unofficial exemption paperwork may not be valid. | Use only the current CDPH/CAIR-ME process. |
Adult California Vaccine Records for Work, College, Travel and Immigration
Adults often need California vaccine records for health care jobs, nursing school, dental programs, college enrollment, clinical rotations, immigration medical exams, travel clinics, military paperwork, long-term care work, or personal medical files. Start with the Digital Vaccine Record portal, then check the provider or pharmacy that gave the vaccine.
| Adult need | Best first source | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Health care job | DVR, provider, pharmacy, occupational health. | MMR, varicella, hepatitis B, Tdap, flu, COVID-19, TB testing, or titers if required. |
| College or nursing program | College portal plus DVR and provider records. | School-specific upload format, vaccine dates, or titer results. |
| Travel | Travel clinic, pharmacy, DVR, primary care office. | Routine shots, travel shots, and exact dose dates. |
| Immigration medical exam | Civil surgeon instructions plus verified records. | Official vaccine history, foreign records, or acceptable lab proof. |
| Personal copy | DVR, provider, pharmacy, CAIR Help Desk. | Complete immunization history and a saved PDF. |
California Local Help: Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County, Bay Area, Sacramento and More
Local help matters when the online portal cannot match, a provider is closed, a school deadline is close, or the vaccine was given through a county clinic. California residents often search by city or county because local providers, pharmacies, schools, and public health departments may be the fastest source.
| If you live near | Common local search | Practical action |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Los Angeles County vaccine records. | Use DVR first, then provider, pharmacy, school file, or LA County public health resources. |
| San Diego | San Diego vaccine record or CAIR record. | Check provider portals, pharmacies, local health department, and CAIR support. |
| Orange County | Orange County vaccine record. | Try DVR, the exact pharmacy or provider, school file, and county health resources. |
| San Francisco, Oakland or San Jose | Bay Area immunization records. | Check health system portals, county clinics, pharmacies, schools, and CAIR support. |
| Sacramento or Central Valley | County immunization records. | Ask the local health department, provider, or pharmacy where the vaccine was given. |
| Riverside, San Bernardino or Fresno | California vaccine records county help. | Use DVR first, then local provider, pharmacy, school, or public health record help. |
CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Kaiser, Sutter, UCLA, Stanford and Pharmacy Vaccine Records in California
Many California adults received flu, COVID-19, RSV, shingles, pneumonia, Tdap, hepatitis, or travel vaccines through a pharmacy or health system. These records may appear in the Digital Vaccine Record if reported and matched, but the provider or pharmacy profile is often the fastest place to check first.
Check your CVS account, MinuteClinic visit history, or call the store that gave the vaccine.
Use the same profile, phone number, and email used at the vaccine appointment.
Ask the pharmacy location for vaccine dates and a copy of your administered vaccine record.
Check the patient portal and ask medical records or immunization services for a vaccine history.
Call the exact pharmacy location if the online account does not show the vaccine.
Ask for vaccine name, date, lot number if available, clinic name, and provider signature if required.
What If Your California Vaccine Record Is Missing or Wrong?
A missing California Digital Vaccine Record does not automatically mean the vaccine never happened. It may mean the vaccine was not reported to CAIR, was reported with different contact information, was entered under a name variation, happened outside California, was stored in an old paper file, or belongs to a pharmacy or federal system that needs separate checking.
Cross-state help: CDC state immunization registry contacts| Problem | What it may mean | What to try next |
|---|---|---|
| DVR cannot find your record | Name, date of birth, phone, or email may not match CAIR. | Try old contact details, provider records, pharmacy proof, or CAIR Help Desk. |
| Dose is missing | The provider or pharmacy may not have reported the vaccine or it did not match. | Call the exact location that gave the vaccine and ask whether it was reported to CAIR. |
| Wrong name or date | The record may have a spelling, name change, or date entry issue. | Contact the provider/pharmacy and CAIR support with documentation. |
| Out-of-state vaccines | The dose may be in another state registry. | Use CDC’s IIS directory and contact the state where the shot was given. |
| Military, VA or federal vaccine | Records may be stored in federal systems, not only California systems. | Check VA, TRICARE, base clinic, service medical records, or federal health portal. |
| Foreign vaccine record | California offices may need translated vaccine names and exact dates. | Bring original records to a provider, school, civil surgeon, or local health department. |
Titer Tests When California Vaccine Records Are Lost
A titer is a blood test that may show immunity to some diseases. It can help when adult childhood vaccine records are missing, especially for health care jobs, nursing school, dental programs, medical school, college requirements, and immigration medical exams. But the office asking for proof decides whether titers are accepted.
| Situation | Titers may help with | Ask before paying |
|---|---|---|
| Health care job | MMR, varicella, hepatitis B. | Ask occupational health which lab result format they accept. |
| Nursing, medical, or dental program | MMR, varicella, hepatitis B, sometimes other proof. | Ask the school compliance portal for exact requirements. |
| Immigration medical exam | Civil surgeon-reviewed proof. | Ask the civil surgeon before ordering labs. |
| K-12 school or child care | Limited school situations only. | Follow CDPH and school instructions before using titers. |
Official California Vaccine Record Links
Use official sources first. This page is an independent guide and is not CDPH, CAIR, CAIR-ME, CDC, a school district, a pharmacy, a provider, or a local health department.
Official California portal for requesting a digital vaccine record from CAIR.
Open DVR portalDirect request form where users enter details to receive a secure record link.
Open request formOfficial questions about what the digital record includes and why records may be missing.
Open DVR FAQCDPH page explaining CAIR records and the Digital Vaccine Record route.
Open CAIR record pageCDPH CAIR information and registry updates.
Open CAIR pageCalifornia school and child care immunization information.
Open Shots for SchoolCalifornia School Immunization Record PDF used by schools and child care programs.
Open Blue Card PDFCalifornia medical exemption site for school and child care immunization exemptions.
Open CAIR-MEUse this if vaccines were given outside California.
Open CDC state registry directorySource Check and Trust Note
This California guide was checked against the official California Digital Vaccine Record portal, the DVR request form, DVR FAQ, CDPH CAIR record guidance, California Immunization Registry pages, CDPH Shots for School resources, the Blue Card/CDPH 286 school record, CAIR-ME medical exemption resources, CDC IIS contacts, and CDC vaccination record guidance. Portal matching, QR code support, CAIR reporting, school rules, exemption rules, provider participation, help desk details, and local health department procedures can change. Always verify final requirements with CDPH, CAIR, CAIR-ME, your provider, pharmacy, school, child care program, college, employer, local health department, licensing board, or civil surgeon before submitting private health information.
California Vaccine Records FAQs
Start with the official California Digital Vaccine Record portal. If your details match a CAIR record, you can open a secure link and save or print the record. If no match appears, contact the vaccine provider, pharmacy, school, local health department, or CAIR Help Desk.
Open Digital Vaccine RecordCAIR stands for California Immunization Registry. It is California’s immunization registry system for vaccine records reported by providers, pharmacies, clinics, and other authorized users.
California Immunization RegistryThe Digital Vaccine Record is California’s official public portal for requesting a digital copy of vaccine information available from CAIR. It may include vaccine dates, vaccine names, future recommendations, and a QR code when available.
DVR FAQYes, when the Digital Vaccine Record portal finds a matching CAIR record. You can open the secure link with your PIN and save or print the available record.
Request DVR recordCommon reasons include a name mismatch, old phone number, old email, date of birth error, vaccine given outside California, dose not reported to CAIR, pharmacy profile mismatch, or older paper-only records.
Official sources list CAIR Help Desk support at 800-578-7889. Use current CDPH and CAIR pages to verify help desk details before sending private information.
CDC IIS contactsOfficial help pages list CAIRHelpDesk@cdph.ca.gov for CAIR or Digital Vaccine Record help. Verify the current page before emailing private health information.
Parents or guardians may use the Digital Vaccine Record portal, but separate requests may be needed for each child when multiple records share one phone number or email address. A pediatrician, school, pharmacy, or local health department may also have a copy.
Start requestThe California School Immunization Record, also called CSIR, Blue Card, or CDPH 286, is a school and child care record used to document immunization information or equivalent records.
Open Blue Card PDFThe Digital Vaccine Record may be useful for school or child care, but the school or child care program decides what format it accepts. Ask before submitting a screenshot or PDF.
Shots for SchoolCAIR-ME is California’s medical exemption system for school and child care immunization requirements. Parents or guardians can start a request, and eligible California physicians issue exemptions through CAIR-ME when appropriate.
Open CAIR-METhey may show if reported and matched correctly. If a pharmacy or health system dose is missing, check the pharmacy account or provider portal and ask the exact location to confirm the vaccine record.
Not always. If a vaccine was given outside California, contact the state where the vaccine was administered and ask the California school, employer, or provider what proof format it accepts.
CDC state IIS contactsSometimes. Titers may help for certain health care, college, clinical training, or immigration requirements, but the office asking for proof decides whether titers are accepted. Ask before paying for labs.
Be careful. Vaccine records are private health information. Use CDPH, the Digital Vaccine Record portal, CAIR, providers, pharmacies, schools, local health departments, and CDC state registry contacts before sharing personal data with third-party sites.
No. ImmunizationRecord.org is an independent informational guide. Use CDPH, CAIR, Digital Vaccine Record, CAIR-ME, CDC, your provider, pharmacy, school, child care program, employer, local health department, or civil surgeon as the final authority.