The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1993 created the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, and implementation of the program began on October 1, 1994.

The VFC Program provides publicly purchased vaccines for children aged birth through 18 years who are:

• Medicaid enrolled (including Medicaid managed care plans)
• Uninsured (have no health insurance)
• American Indian/Alaskan Native
• In addition, children who have health insurance that does not cover immunizations are eligible if they receive vaccine at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). 

The VFC Program removes vaccine cost as a barrier to immunization for eligible children, reduces referral to public clinics for immunization, and facilitates their return to a medical home for comprehensive care.  The program provides a source of funding for a large percentage of our nation's children and will promote implementation of new vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The VFC Program saves parents and enrolled providers $900 - $1250 per child in out-of-pocket expenses for vaccine.

The VFC Program also saves state funds.  Prior to VFC, private physicians purchased vaccines for Medicaid-eligible children at private market prices and passed these costs on to the state.  Now, vaccines are purchased with federal funds at reduced federal bulk contract prices and are distributed to private providers for administration to VFC-eligible children.  VFC represents an unprecedented approach to combine the efforts of public and private providers to help accomplish and sustain vaccine coverage goals, now and in the future.

VFC Forms and Communications

If you want more information regarding any of these documents, please contact the VFC Program at 215-685-6498. Health care providers can find more information about the VFC program on the KIDS Registry/Immunization Program web site.

• Philadelphia VFC Supplied Vaccines Chart - The Philadelphia Vaccines For Children (VFC) Program has developed the Philadelphia VFC Supplied Vaccine chart for all VFC providers. This chart lists all vaccines supplied by the Philadelphia VFC Program, including a detailed list of VFC covered children and corresponding conditions or criteria that should be considered when determining who should receive VFC vaccines.  The VFC Program will update this chart as new vaccines and/or new vaccine recommendations are introduced to the VFC Program.    3-26-08
• VFC Standards for Vaccine Storage   The Standards for Vaccine Storage document shows providers how to store and handle VFC vaccine with care.   8-22-07
• VFC Vaccine Order Form for Private Providers     3-26-08
• VFC Vaccine Order Form for District Health Care Centers    3-26-08  
• VFC Short-dated Vaccine Return Form   VFC private providers should utilize this form when wanting to return vaccine product that is about to expire within 60 to 90 days of expiration date.  Returning short-dated vaccines allows VFC to transfer vaccine to other VFC providers that may be in need of additional doses.  Your forward planning will ensure that vaccine is not wasted.   8-22-07
• VFC Influenza Order Form - Please use this form to place your 2008-09 VFC Influenza orders.  9-4-08
  

For more information about the VFC Program, call 215-685-6498.