2D Vaccine Barcoding - For Manufacturers

Vaccine manufacturers play a key role in affixing 2D barcodes on vaccine vials and syringes. The following information about 2D barcoded vaccines provides resources for guidance on requirements and general specifications to date. Included are presentations and summary documents from the 2012 CDC vaccine manufacturer forum. These materials discuss the implications, opportunities, and challenges of implementing 2D barcoding technology on vaccine products.

 

Adopting 2D Barcodes – Brief

This one-page brief [1 page] provides information for vaccine manufacturers on the benefits and resources of 2D barcodes on vaccine unit-of-use products.

 

2D Barcoding 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 barcoding standards development organization, provides specification for creating GS1 DataMatrix 2D barcodes at the point-of-care or primary vaccine package.
• Guidance for Industry: Bar Code Label Requirements – Questions and Answers[14 pages], August 2011
  This guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides questions and answers relating to how the bar code label requirements apply to specific products or circumstances. This guidance finalizes the draft guidance entitled “Guidance for Industry: Bar Code Label Requirements – Questions and Answers (Question 12 Update)” dated August 2010, and supersedes the guidance entitled “Guidance for Industry: Bar Code Label Requirements – Questions and Answers” dated October 2006.
• GS1 General Specifications [6.18 MB, 478 pages], Version 14 Issue 1, Jan-2014
  The core standards document describing how barcodes and identification keys should be used to comply with GS1 standards.

 

Impact of 2D Barcodes on Vaccine Secondary Packaging Report

This report evaluates the prospective impacts of 2D barcode application on vaccine secondary packaging. Benefits and challenges at different points in the vaccine supply chain are addressed. The May 2013 initial publication of this report was updated in October 2014 to consider pharmaceutical track and trace legislation introduced in November 2013, the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA).

• Evaluation of the Impact of 2D Barcodes on Vaccine Secondary Packaging [1.13 MB, 64 pages]

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Vaccine Manufacturer’s Forum

On January 26, 2012 CDC held a 2D Barcode Vaccine Manufacturers Forum to engage the vaccine manufacturing community. It included vaccine product manufacturers, their distributors, and trading partners in presentations and discussions on the implications, opportunities, and challenges of implementing 2D barcoding technology on vaccine products.

The goals and objectives of the Forum were to:

• engage the vaccine manufacturing community in the discussion of the benefits, impacts, and challenges of implementing 2D barcoding,
• understand the regulations and standards landscape in more detail, and
• explore the options and considerations for moving the industry forward toward the implementation of 2D barcoding of vaccine products.

Speakers discussed implementation issues and standards related to 2D barcoding technology for vaccine products. A working session during the forum divided attendees into smaller groups to discuss topics related to opportunities and challenges regarding 2D barcode implementation.

Forum Attendees

It was attended by over 60 industry stakeholders including 26 representatives from 10 vaccine manufacturing companies, representing functions of packaging, distribution, policy, regulatory affairs, technical services, customer service, and new products. In addition to the manufacturers, the Forum was attended by representatives of retail pharmacy supply chain participants, standards organizations, and trade associations. Regulatory and global agencies including World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and CDC participated in the event, providing a rare opportunity for the industry and regulators to connect and discuss the changing requirements and standards for vaccines.

Forum Presentations

Presenter	Presentation
Anne Schuchat, MD Director, CDC/National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NICRD)	Opening Remarks [3 pages]
Erin Kennedy, DVM, MPH Medical Officer, CDC/NCIRD	Overview of 2D Vaccine Barcoding Pilot [28 pages]
Vada Perkins, BSN, MSc, RN Chief, Business Operations Staff, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)	Overview and Guidance on Vaccine 2D Barcoding [26 pages]
Edward Zissman, MD, FAAP American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)	Industry Goals and Progress for Vaccine Barcoding – Perspective from AAP [1.2 MB, 26 pages]
Alan O’Connor, MBA Senior Economist, Research Triangle Institute (RTI)	Overview of Vaccine Bar Coding Report [34 pages]
John J. Roberts, JD Director, Healthcare, GS1 US	Emerging Standards for Vaccine Barcoding – GS Overview [2.1 MB, 35 pages]
Bonni Kirkwood Senior Manager, Deloitte Consulting LLP	Overview of Working Sessions [18 pages]

Forum Summary Documents

• Two-Dimensional (2D) Vaccine Barcoding Manufacturers Forum Final Report [32 pages]
  Summarizes the content presented at the Manufacturer’s Forum and includes questions and answers from attendees as well as a summary of the working sessions and meeting follow up.
• CDC 2D Vaccine Barcode Pilot-Manufacturers Forum Outcome [2 pages]
  An article summarizing the highlights and outcomes of the January 2012 Vaccine Manufacturer’s forum.

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