How to ensure we can track and trace global use of COVID-19 vaccines?

[...]national mass vaccination programs will be aimed mostly at adults, not children -- whom vaccinations traditionally target. [...]these programs will likely be conducted in a highly dispersed manner in healthcare institutions, nursing homes, workplaces, schools, etc… Hopefully none; we should use...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Vaccine 2021-01, Vol.39 (2), p.176-179
Main Authors: Vander Stichele, Robert H., Hay, Christian, Fladvad, Malin, Sturkenboom, Miriam C.J.M., Chen, Robert T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bar codes
Clinical trials
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
COVID-19 Vaccines
Epidemiology
Humans
Identification
Immunization
Income
International trade
Manufacturers
Modernization
Nursing homes
Reference Standards
Regulatory approval
SARS-CoV-2
Schools
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Supply chains
Vaccines
Viral Vaccines
Workplaces
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Summary:[...]national mass vaccination programs will be aimed mostly at adults, not children -- whom vaccinations traditionally target. [...]these programs will likely be conducted in a highly dispersed manner in healthcare institutions, nursing homes, workplaces, schools, etc… Hopefully none; we should use COVID-19 as an opportunity globally to modernize the supply chain for vaccines with 2D barcodes with all its benefits for general immunization program improvement, ranging from generating immunization certificates to vaccine uptake monitoring and pharmaco-epidemiology research, to protection against falsified vaccines.3 Additional actions But here are few areas where the last mile(s) remain to be crossed with precious little time left: A. Barcoding the vaccines: The minimum requirement for now should be a DataMatrix with the Global Trade Item Name (GTIN) and the batch number and the expiry data and (if possible) the serialisation number on the secondary packages, and a DataMatrix (at first possibly only with the GTIN) on the primary package and the batch number (the vial or prefilled syringe). Since most High Income Country (HIC) developers already routinely apply barcodes to their primary packaging for non-Covid vaccines, we recommend them also doing so for their Covid vaccines, including those shipped to Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC). Realistically, this problem is unlikely to be solved before planned COVID-19 vaccinations begin in LMIC’s. [...]provisions for non-digital alternatives to tracking COVID-19 vaccines will be needed.
ISSN:0264-410X
1873-2518
DOI:10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.11.055