CVC Working Group: AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine trade name code available & other updates

Hi everyone,

A SNOMED CT code for the AstraZeneca vaccine has been created:
ConceptID: 28761000087108
FSN: ASTRAZENECA COVID-19 0.5 milliliter solution for injection AstraZeneca Canada Inc. (real clinical drug)
PT: COVID-19 ASTRAZENECA COVID-19 AZC
Syn: ASTRAZENECA COVID-19 0.5 milliliter solution for injection AstraZeneca Canada Inc.

This concept is in scope for the next CVC release, and in scope for the SNOMED March CA Edition publication.

Update on Generic Concept for AstraZeneca and Janssen Vaccines
To expedite the process of creating a code, the AstraZeneca COVID-19 concept has been created under the most generic COVID-19 term (28531000087107 |Vaccine product against disease caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (medicinal product)|). However, a more granular generic term for both the AstraZeneca and Janssen vaccines is recommended when it becomes available.

Based on discussions with clinical subject matter experts (Dr. Sarah Wilson, Public Health Ontario & NACI Member; Dr. Monika Naus, Medical Director, Communicable Diseases & Immunization Service & Medical Head, Immunization Programs & Vaccine Preventable Diseases at the BCCDC) and sources gathered, the AZ and Janssen vaccines are considered "viral vector" vaccines, specifically, "non-replicating viral vector" vaccines. Both use adenoviruses as the viral vector, however, they do not use the same adenovirus vector. There has not been a perceived use case for creating such granular generic concepts at the level of the specific adenovirus.

Therefore, we are proposing that the AZ and Janssen vaccines fall under a parent concept, "COVID-19 non-replicating viral vector" vaccine. For a schematic overview and scholarly references for this recommendation, please refer to the PHS Community documents section, under Meeting Information > 2021 > "CVC Working Group - Update on Generic Concept for AstraZeneca and Janssen COVID-19 Vaccines"

We have confirmed with Linda Parisien that a generic concept for this does not exist, and have been informed that the SNOMED International community is currently working on developing terminology for this group of vaccines. New concepts for COVID-19 vaccines are anticipated to be available within the coming weeks from SNOMED International. This is also where the COVID-19 mRNA generic concept was drawn from in December. Once an appropriate term becomes available, the CVC will adopt this term as the parent of the AZ and Janssen vaccines, assuming that the concept aligns with the recommendations we have gathered from subject matter experts.

Next CVC Release
To include the AstraZeneca trade name code, we are proposing to push the next CVC release to next week with the following schedule:
- Tuesday, February 16th: Prerelease sent to stakeholders for review
- Thursday, February 18th: Deadline to provide feedback
- Friday, February 19th: CVC Release

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns with the above.