The American Medical Association (AMA) announced an editorial update to Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), the medical terminology code set for describing healthcare procedures and services. The update includes new product and administration codes assigned to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months to under 5 years of age.
The provisional CPT codes will be effective for use on the condition the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants an Emergency Use Authorization to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 months to under 5 years of age. The AMA is publishing the CPT code update now to ensure electronic systems across the U.S. healthcare system are prepared in advance for the potential FDA authorization. The development of CPT codes that clinically distinguish each coronavirus vaccine and dosing schedule allows for data-driven tracking, reporting and analysis that supports planning and allocation during the public health response to the pandemic. To date, 32 unique CPT codes have been created for COVID-19 vaccines from AstraZeneca, Janssen (Johnson & Johnson), Moderna, Novavax and Pfizer-BioNTech.
For quick reference, the new product code and administration codes assigned to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children in the age range of 6 months to 5 years is:
Product Code
- 91308: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, spike protein, preservative free, 3 mcg/0.2 mL dosage, diluent reconstituted, tris-sucrose formulation, for intramuscular use
Administration Codes
- 0081A: Immunization administration by intramuscular injection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, spike protein, preservative free, 3 mcg/0.2 mL dosage, diluent reconstituted, tris-sucrose formulation; first dose
- 0082A: Immunization administration by intramuscular injection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, spike protein, preservative free, 3 mcg/0.2 mL dosage, diluent reconstituted, tris-sucrose formulation; second dose
Short, medium and long descriptors for all the new vaccine-specific CPT codes can be accessed on the AMA website, along with other recent modifications to the CPT code set that have helped streamline the public health response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the COVID-19 disease.
