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 nearly $800 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.

For more information about the VFC Program, call 215-685-6728.