Your children may be able to get no-cost vaccines through CDC’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program at healthcare providers offices, pharmacies and health clinics that are enrolled in the VFC Program.
OverviewThe VFC Program helps all children have a better chance of getting their recommended vaccinations on schedule. Vaccinating on time means healthier children, families, and communities.
Vaccines provided by the VFC Program protect babies, young children, and adolescents from preventable diseases.
Children Who Are Eligible for the VFC ProgramChildren ages 18 years or younger who meet at least one of the following requirements:
Underinsured means that your child has health insurance, but the insurance policy:
Underinsured children are only eligible to receive vaccines at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) or Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). FQHCs and RHCs provide health care to medically underserved areas and meet certain criteria under Medicare and Medicaid programs. However, through a deputization agreement, FQHCs/RHCs can choose to delegate their VFC Program authority for vaccinating underinsured children to other VFC Program-enrolled provider locations (usually public health department clinics) as agents of the FQHC/RHC.
You Do Not Need Proof of a Child’s Eligibility Children can receive no-cost vaccines from enrolled providers.You do not have to show any proof that your child is eligible for free vaccines using the VFC Program. However, your doctor is required to ask and document the following:
Many doctors will already have this information in your child’s medical record or as a part of normal business records, but if your child’s insurance or Medicaid status changes, you need to inform the doctor’s office of those changes.
There is No Cost for Vaccines Provided by the VFC ProgramThere is no cost for the vaccines given by VFC Program providers to eligible children. This means that no one can charge a fee for the vaccine itself.
Fees That a VFC Program Provider May ChargeAlthough there is no charge for VFC Program vaccines, the law does allow your healthcare provider to charge what is called an “administration fee”. An administration fee is similar to a patient’s co-pay in that it helps providers offset their costs of doing business. Providers have the option to charge what they feel is fair, which could range from no charge at all, up to the maximum amount allowed by their state. This fee differs from state to state. Contact your CMS Regional Medicaid office for questions about the administration fee.
DisclaimerNote: Healthcare providers cannot refuse to vaccinate your child if you are unable to pay the vaccine administration fee.
Other fees the VFC Program provider may charge include:
The VFC Program covers all vaccines included in the pediatric immunization schedules that are determined by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP):
The vaccines offered through the VFC Program protect children from these preventable diseases:
If your child is behind on their vaccine schedule, they can catch up on their routine vaccines through the VFC Program. Call or visit your provider to discuss how your child can get caught up to schedule. Review the recommended catch-up schedule for more details.
Locations of VFC Program providersYou can get vaccines for your child at any private doctor, private clinic, hospital, public health clinic, community health clinic, schools, or pharmacy that is an enrolled VFC Program provider. Over 37,000 providers are enrolled in the VFC Program nationwide.
To find a VFC Program provider near you, contact your state or local health department to see if your state has a searchable website for VFC Program providers.
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