Two-Dimensional (2D) Vaccine Barcoding - For Developers

This page has information for system developers interested in processing data from 2D barcodes on vaccine products and Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) into electronic health information systems. This includes those involved in the design, development, and implementation of electronic medical records (EMR), electronic health records (EHR), practice management software (PMS), and Immunization Information Systems (IIS).

Updated Guidance for Documenting Vaccine NDCs and Lot Numbers in IISs and EHRs – June 2017

This document pdf icon[3 pages] provides guidance for capturing National Drug Codes (NDCs) and lot number information for administered vaccines in electronic health records (EHR) or immunization information systems (IIS).

Software Functional Capabilities Guide

This report documents the EMR/IIS/PMS functional capabilities needed to process 2D vaccine and VIS Barcodes. It serves as a guide for software developers to design and develop systems with 2D barcode processing capabilities. The July 2013 initial publication of this report was updated in September 2016, May 2017, October 2018, December 2019 and September 2020 to enhance the Guide with additional lessons learned. A Change Log is included on page 3.

• EHR-IIS 2D Barcode Functional Capabilities Report, Version 2.2 pdf icon[47 pages]

Vaccine National Drug Code (NDC)

To aid the ability to realize 2D barcode scanning functionality in electronic health information systems, the CDC has developed National Drug Code (NDC) crosswalk tables. The purpose of the 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 two-dimensional (2D) applied. NDCs are embedded within the GTINs. The application of 2D barcodes onto vaccines 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]external icon
  This “Application Guideline” developed in collaboration between the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and GS1 Healthcare US, a barcoding 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 Systemspdf icon
  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 2D vaccine barcode.

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