Sanofi adds six more vaccines to 2D barcoding project

Sanofi Pasteur is adding 2D barcodes to six more of its paediatric vaccines seven months after it began rolling out the technology.

By the beginning of 2013 Sanofi will use 2D barcodes on six more paediatric vaccines, adding to the two that began using the technology in December. Using the 2D technology with paediatric vaccines is intended to cut medical errors and help track information in patient records.

"Accurate information reduces errors, meaning greater safety for the patient and potential savings for the physician through better management of their vaccines," said David Greenberg, senior director, US scientific and medical affairs at Sanofi Pasteur.

Sanofi first introduced 2D barcodes in December in collaboration with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). At that time the project was limited to two vaccines - one for diphtheria and tetanus, another for meningococcal disease - but Sanofi is now adding six more products.

Over the next three quarters Sanofi will gradually roll out unit-dose 2D barcoding of its other diphtheria and tetanus vaccines, as well as its Fluzone shot for protecting against influenza.