Singapore: Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, will transition six more products of its pediatric vaccine portfolio to two-dimensional (2D) barcoding technology by the beginning of 2013.

While Adacel (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed) vaccine and influenza virus vaccine Fluzone unit-dose vials are expected to be barcoded by the third quarter of 2012, the fourth quarter will see the implementation of barcodes to Daptacel (diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine adsorbed); Tenivac (tetanus and diphtheria toxoids adsorbed) vials; and IPOL (poliovirus vaccine inactivated) in multi-dose vial presentation. Pentacel (diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis adsorbed, inactivated poliovirus and Haemophilus b conjugate-tetanus toxoid conjugate) vaccine will see receiving the barcodes from the first quarter of 2013.

In December 2011, Sanofi Pasteur became the first vaccine company to launch the new technology. Two-dimensional barcodes contain more data, including lot numbers and expiration dates, than was possible in standard linear barcodes. The barcodes are printed on the 'unit-of-use' or the vials and syringes that contain the vaccines.

Sanofi Pasteur participated in a group led by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that included key partners such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA); GS1, an internationally-recognized organization dedicated to the development of global standards; and multiple manufacturers, to develop a single standard for the 2D barcode on vaccines.

Dr David Greenberg, senior director, US scientific and medical affairs, Sanofi Pasteur, said that, "Accurate information reduces errors, meaning greater safety for the patient and potential savings for the physician through better management of their vaccines. With the implementation of this new technology, physicians will benefit from having fewer manual steps in the vaccine management process in their practice."