Programs & Tools:
FAQs from Providers
Vaccines for Children Program Topics:
Questions & Answers
Why should I join VFC?
- It will enhance your ability to provide government purchased vaccine to your eligible patients and reduces your out of pocket costs.
- You can provide all ACIP-recommended vaccines to your eligible patients.
- It will enhance services you provide to populations receiving EPSDT.
- Any provider authorized to prescribe vaccines under your state law can be a VFC Provider.
- Over the past decade, both general and immunization specific pediatric "best practices" have included the administering of a child's immunizations in their medical home (their regular source of primary care).
How do I become a VFC Provider?
- First, contact your State/Territory VFC Program Coordinator.
- Ask for a Provider Enrollment Package to be mailed to you.
- Complete the States Provider Enrollment form and return them as soon as possible.
- Prepare your office and staff for a site visit to go over the administrative requirements of the program and to ensure proper storage and handling of vaccines when you receive them.
- Let your patients know you are now a VFC Provider.
Is there any financial incentive?
- VFC allows you to charge an administrative fee to offset your costs of doing business.
- Participating in VFC reduces your out of pocket costs because you don't have to buy vaccine for your eligible patients with your own money.
- VFC will save your eligible patients money because the vaccines are provlded at no cost.
How do Medicaid & VFC work together?
- A Medicaid Primer
- Medicaid State Plan Requirements
- Managed Care
- Fee Caps on Vaccine Administration
- What is a Medicaid State plan and a plan preprint?
- How can State Immunization Projects/State Medicaid agencies help you?
- What if a parent/guardian does not know whether a child is enrolled with Medicaid?
- FAQs / Other Eligibility Issues
What is the ACIP and where can I find the VFC Resolutions?
What is the latest Recommended Immunization Schedule?
Recommended Childhood & Adolescent Immunization Schedule
The Recommended Childhood & Adolescent Immunization Schedule, United States, indicates the recommended ages for routine administration of currently licensed childhood vaccines for children through age 18 years.
Any dose not given at the recommended age should be given at any subsequent visit when indicated and feasible.
Catch-up immunizations indicate age groups that warrant special effort to administer those vaccines not previously given.
Additional vaccines may be licensed and recommended during the year.
Licensed combination vaccines may be used whenever any components of the combination are indicated and the vaccine's other components are not contraindicated. Providers should consult the manufacturers' package inserts for detailed recommendations.
How do I file VAERS or CMR reports?
Reporting Adverse Events:
Report clinically significant adverse events that follow vaccination through the Federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System(VAERS) at http://vaers.hhs.gov
Confidential Morbidity Reporting (CMR):
Remember, please report all suspected cases of vaccine preventable diseases to your State or Local Health Department.
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Content last reviewed on July 2, 2010
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
