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COVID-19 CPT Coding Update

The American Medical Association (AMA) recently added 15 COVID-19 vaccine-specific codes to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT). The updates approved by the CPT Editorial Panel span those regarding the new tris-sucrose buffer formulation of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer, as well as a code for a third booster injection of Pfizer/BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine.

The COVID-19 vaccine and administration codes are among 405 changes in the 2022 CPT code set, including 249 new codes, 63 deletions and 93 revisions.

For Pfizer vaccine code with the new tris-sucrose formulation, utilize:

  • 91305   Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease [COVID-19]) vaccine, mRNA-LNP, spike protein, preservative free, 30 mcg/0.3 mL dosage, tris-sucrose formulation, for intramuscular use

For the Pfizer administration codes with the tris-sucrose formulation, utilize one of the following depending on the appropriate dose number:

  • 0051A   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, 30 mcg/0.3 mL dosage, tris-sucrose formulation; first dose

  • 0052A   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, 30 mcg/0.3 mL dosage, tris-sucrose formulation; second dose

  • 0053A   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, 30 mcg/0.3 mL dosage, tris-sucrose formulation; third dose

To help healthcare provider facilities determine the appropriate CPT code combination for the type and dose of vaccine in use, AMA has provided a convenient vaccine code finder tool. See below:






To remain up-to-date on the latest healthcare and health IT industry changes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, check back to the Mission Critical Change Resource Center.






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