What is the Vaccines for Children
Program?
The Vaccines for Children program, or VFC, supplies vaccines
for children in certain groups who can't afford to buy vaccines.
Children can get hundreds of dollars worth of free vaccine. Doctors
can get this vaccine, for their patients who qualify, by joining
the VFC program in their state. There is no charge to the doctor
or the parents to get these vaccines. |
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Who can receive VFC
Vaccine?
Children through 18 years of age who meet at least one of the following criteria are eligible to receive VFC vaccine:
- Medicaid eligible: A child who is eligible for the Medicaid program. (For the purposes of the VFC program, the terms "Medicaid-eligible" and "Medicaid-enrolled" are equivalent and refer to children who have health insurance covered by a state Medicaid program)
- Uninsured: A child who has no health insurance coverage
- American Indian or Alaska Native: As defined by the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603)
- Underinsured: A child who has commercial (private) health insurance but the coverage does not include vaccines, a child whose insurance covers only selected vaccines (VFC-eligible for non-covered vaccines only), or a child whose insurance caps vaccine coverage at a certain amount. Once that coverage amount is reached, the child is categorized as underinsured. Underinsured children are eligible to receive VFC vaccine only through a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or Rural Health Clinic (RHC).
Children whose health insurance covers the cost of vaccinations are not eligible for VFC vaccines, even when a claim for the cost of the vaccine and its administration would be denied for payment by the insurance carrier because the plan's deductible had not been met.
What is an FQHC?
An FQHC is a health center that is designated by the Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) of the Health Services and Resources Administration (HRSA) to provide health care to a medically underserved population. FQHCs include community and migrant health centers, special health facilities such as those for the homeless and persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) that receive grants under the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, and "look-alikes," which meet the qualifications but do not actually receive grant funds. They also include health centers within public housing and Indian health centers.
What is an RHC?
An RHC is a clinic located in a Health Professional Shortage Area, a Medically Underserved Area, or a Governor-Designated Shortage Area. RHCs are required to be staffed by physician assistants, nurse practitioners, or certified nurse midwives at least half of the time that the clinic is open. |
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Why was the VFC
program created?
In 1989 - 1991, a measles epidemic in the United States resulted in tens of thousands of cases of measles and hundreds of deaths. Upon investigation, CDC found that more than half of the children who had measles had not been immunized, even though many of them had seen a health care provider.
In partial response to that epidemic, Congress passed the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) on August 10, 1993, creating the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. VFC became operational October 1, 1994. Known as section 1928 of the Social Security Act, the Vaccines for Children program is an entitlement program (a right granted by law) for eligible children, age 18 and below.
VFC helps families of children who may not otherwise have access to vaccines by providing free vaccines to doctors who serve them.
VFC is administered at the national level by the CDC contracts with vaccine manufacturers to buy vaccines at reduced rates.
States and eligible projects enroll physicians who serve eligible patients up to and including age 18 years and who provide routine immunizations. |
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How can I get VFC
vaccine?
Ask your doctor's office if they are part of the VFC program.
VFC doctors will have the vaccine waiting for you when you come
in for your appointment. If your doctor is not part of the VFC
program, ask them to join by calling the state health department.
You can also get these VFC vaccines at your local health department
or community health center. |
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Do I have to bring anything to prove my
child can get free VFC
vaccine?
No. You do not have to show any proof that your child can get
VFC vaccine, but your doctor may ask if your child is on Medicaid,
has insurance or if your child is Native American or Alaskan Native.
Many doctors will have the information that you can get VFC vaccine
in their business records. If your status changes at any time,
though, you should tell your doctor. |
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The vaccines are free, but what if I can't
pay for the doctor visit?
The doctor cannot hold back VFC
vaccine if you can't pay the administration fee (what the doctor
charges to actually give the shot to your child). BUT the doctor
does not have to see your child if you cannot pay for the office
visit (the flat rate just to see the doctor). Talk to your doctor's
office if paying for the visit is a problem. You might be eligible
for Medicaid or low-rate insurance offered by the state. You can
also go to your local health department or community health center
to get VFC vaccines. |
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My child is behind on their shots. Can
they still get VFC
vaccine?
YES!
Your child can get any of the vaccines they need to get back on
schedule. |
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My child is healthy. I'll just wait until
school age to get them vaccinated.
Children are most at risk from getting these diseases when they
are younger. Waiting until school starts can be dangerous. A visit
to a doctor is always a good idea to catch any other problems
your child might be having. |
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I have questions about the shots my child
needs and when to get them. Where can I go for more information?
Contact the National Immunization Hotline at 1-800-232-4636,
or e-mail your questions to nipinfo@cdc.gov. |
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