Postimmunization arthropathy, multiple sites

This code signifies joint inflammation and pain affecting multiple anatomical locations that develops as an adverse reaction following an immunization. It represents a sterile inflammatory process, not an infectious one, directly attributable to the vaccine administration.

Apply this code when a patient presents with polyarthralgia or polyarthritis clearly documented as an adverse effect of a recent vaccination. Documentation should explicitly link the joint symptoms to the immunization event and rule out other causes of arthropathy.

• Ensure documentation specifies "multiple sites" of arthropathy; otherwise, a more specific site code may be appropriate.
• Always code the specific vaccine responsible for the adverse effect (T88.1- or T88.0-) as a secondary diagnosis.
• Differentiate from infectious arthritis (M00.-) or other forms of inflammatory arthropathy not related to immunization.