Reader Question: Administering Multiple Vaccines

Question: How do I code for administering several vaccines? When more than one vaccine is administered, are we supposed to use the 90472 code? I noticed this year that the definition of 90472 has been changed to each additional vaccine. How does that affect the coding of vaccines?

Fee Management/Compliance Manager, Ill.

Answer: Infectious disease physicians may use code 90471 for only one vaccine administration. However, code 90472 may be used for each additional or combination of vaccines administered. These codes, which can be applied to pneumonia or influenza vaccinations, for example, are used for a variety of delivery methods, including intradermal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intranasal, oral or jet (gun) injections.

Note: You need to list each administration separately in addition to the diagnosis code for the primary procedure or reason for todays office visit.


- Published on 2000-04-01