At a glance
Since the Implementation Pilot for 2D Vaccine Barcode Utilization in 2011, many electronic health information system vendors have incorporated 2D barcode scanning capability into their systems. This page has information for vendors and system developers interested in adding the capability of data processing data from 2D barcodes on vaccine products and Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) into their systems. This includes those involved in the design, development, and implementation of electronic medical records (EMRs), electronic health records (EHRs), practice management software (PMS), and Immunization Information Systems (IISs).
Updated Guidance for Documenting Vaccine NDCs and Lot Numbers in IISs and EHRs – January 2021
This document [3 pages] provides guidance for capturing National Drug Codes (NDCs) and lot number information for administered vaccines in EHRs or IISs.
Software Functional Capabilities Guide
The EHR/IIS Functional Capabilities Guide [52 pages] documents the EHR/IIS functional capabilities needed to process 2D barcodes on vaccine products and VIS documents. This report can be used as a guide to design and develop systems with 2D barcode processing capabilities.
Vaccine 2D Barcode Scanning Functionality Testing Resource
This document [4 pages] provides a collection of 2D barcodes from vaccine units-of-use (UoU) and Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) and Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) Fact Sheets for Recipients and Caregivers which can be used by IIS and EHR vendors, as well as other stakeholders such as providers, seeking to test their scanning functionality with several real and sample/test examples.
Vaccine NDC Crosswalk Tables
To aid the ability to realize 2D barcode scanning functionality in electronic health information systems, CDC has developed vaccine National Drug Code (NDC) crosswalk tables. The purpose of the vaccine NDC crosswalk tables is to show the relationships of vaccine primary and secondary packaging NDCs and to provide related information. The NDC on vaccine primary packaging differs from the NDC on the vaccine secondary packaging. The NDC crosswalk tables contain the Global Trade Identification Number (GTIN) for vaccines with a 2D barcode applied. NDCs are embedded within the GTINs. The application of 2D barcodes onto vaccine primary packaging is an ongoing effort. As applications of 2D barcodes increase, the NDC crosswalk tables will be updated. Additionally, the crosswalk tables will be maintained regularly to reflect new and retired NDCs. The crosswalk tables are available on the CDC IIS Code Set web-page.
Resources
- AAP and GS1 Guidance for Manufacturers and Suppliers (GS1R DataMatrix Barcodes to Vaccines for Point of Care) [25 pages]
This “Application Guideline” developed in collaboration between the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and GS1 Healthcare US, a barcode standards development organization, provides specification for creating GS1 DataMatrix 2D barcodes at the point-of-care or primary vaccine package.
- Implementation Pilot for Two-Dimensional (2D) Vaccine Barcodes, Overview: National Drug Code (NDC) Usage in EMR Systems [5 pages]
These slides explain the structure of the NDC and how these codes are used within health information management systems. This includes a description of the encoded data within the vaccine 2D barcode.