Logan Reed
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to eligible children. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approves funding for the VFC Program, which is then allocated through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to the CDC. The CDC buys the vaccines at a discount and distributes them to VFC Program providers. States and Territory Health Departments are responsible for managing their own VFC Programs, and each state immunization provider can charge an administrative fee. While the VFC Program is federally funded, state funds are also used to purchase vaccines for underinsured children in the offices of private providers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Program | Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program |
| Who is it for? | Children whose parents or guardians may not be able to afford vaccines |
| Age criteria | Younger than 19 years of age |
| Other criteria | Uninsured, Medicaid-eligible, Medicaid-enrolled, American Indian or Alaska Native, Underinsured |
| Funding | Federal funds |
| Funding source | Office of Management and Budget (OMB) |
| Funding allocation | Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) |
| Funding recipient | CDC |
| Vaccine purchase | CDC buys the vaccines at a discount |
| Vaccine distribution | CDC distributes to VFC Program providers |
| Direction | 61 state, local, and territorial immunization programs |
| State funding | Used for vaccine purchases for underinsured children in the offices of private providers |
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What You'll Learn
The VFC program is federally funded
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program is a federally funded initiative that provides free vaccines to children who may not otherwise afford them. The program was established in 1993 as an amendment to the Social Security Act, ensuring federal funds were available for the purchase of vaccines for children under 18 in four categories: Medicaid-eligible, uninsured, Native American/Alaska Native, and children who receive vaccines at federally qualified health centres (FQHCs).
The VFC Program is funded through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which falls within Medicaid law. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approves funding for the VFC Program, allocating funds through the CMS to the CDC. The CDC then buys the vaccines at a discount and distributes them to VFC Program providers, which include private doctors and providers in private clinics, hospitals, public health clinics, community health clinics, and schools.
The VFC Program is an entitlement program, meaning that eligible children are entitled to receive vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP makes recommendations on routine vaccinations for children and adults. If a new vaccine is recommended by the ACIP and approved by the administrator of the CDC, it is automatically included in the VFC entitlement and must be provided free of charge to eligible children.
The VFC Program is managed by State and Territory Health Departments, which are responsible for implementing and overseeing their own VFC Programs. The CDC provides operational funding to these 61 state, local, and territorial immunization programs. The VFC Program saves parents and providers money by providing vaccines at no cost and through bulk purchases at lower prices. This also saves state funds and reduces the need for referrals to public clinics, allowing children to receive services in their medical homes.
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Vaccines are provided at no cost to eligible children
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to eligible children. The program was created in 1993 as a new entitlement program to be a required part of each state’s Medicaid plan. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approves funding for the VFC Program, which is then allocated through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to the CDC. The CDC buys the vaccines at a discount and distributes them to VFC Program providers.
The VFC Program removes vaccine cost as a barrier to immunization for eligible children. It provides a source of funding for a large percentage of the nation's children and promotes the implementation of new vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and approved by the CDC. The program saves parents and providers more than $1,280.50 per child in out-of-pocket vaccine expenses. It also saves state funds through bulk purchases of vaccines at lower prices.
Children who are eligible for the VFC Program include those who are uninsured, Medicaid-eligible or Medicaid-enrolled, American Indian or Alaska Native, or underinsured. Children who are enrolled in a separate CHIP program are considered insured and do not qualify for VFC Program benefits. Underinsured children can only receive VFC Program vaccines through a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or Rural Health Clinic (RHC).
The VFC Program allows enrolled private providers to receive publicly purchased vaccines. It coordinates with public agencies, including state health departments, state Medicaid programs, and programs serving families and children, to recruit and retain a network of VFC Program providers. The program provides opportunities for vaccinations at over 37,000 healthcare providers and locations, helping to ensure that all children have a better chance of getting their recommended vaccinations on schedule.
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States can set their own policies within national guidelines
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program is a federally funded initiative that provides free vaccines to children who may otherwise not be able to afford them. The program was established in 1993 as an amendment to the Social Security Act, providing federal funds for the purchase of vaccines for children under 18 years of age. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approves funding for the VFC Program, allocating funds through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to the CDC. The CDC then purchases the vaccines at a discount and distributes them to VFC Program providers.
While the VFC program is federally funded, it falls within Medicaid law. As such, each state's Medicaid program can set its own policies within the national guidelines set by the federal government. This means that each state can manage its own VFC program, with 61 state, local, and territorial immunization programs receiving operational funding from the CDC to implement and oversee their VFC programs.
State involvement in the VFC program is crucial, as it allows for the recruitment and retention of a network of VFC Program providers. This includes coordinating with state health departments, state Medicaid programs, and programs serving families and children. States with enhanced-VFC programs expand eligibility for VFC vaccines by supplementing VFC vaccine purchases at federally discounted prices. They achieve this by combining Section 317 grants and state general revenue funds to purchase vaccines for non-VFC-eligible children.
Additionally, states have the flexibility to charge an administrative fee for the VFC vaccines, which helps providers offset their business costs. This fee varies by state, with a maximum amount of approximately $15. States also benefit from cost savings through bulk purchases of vaccines at CDC-negotiated lower prices, eliminating state-to-state price variations.
In summary, while the VFC program is federally funded and guided by national eligibility criteria, states play a significant role in policy implementation, provider coordination, and expanding access to vaccines for children in their respective jurisdictions.
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VFC saves state funds by purchasing vaccines in bulk
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program is a federally funded program that provides free vaccines to children who otherwise may not have been able to afford them. The program is funded through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and falls within the Medicaid law. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approves the funding for the VFC program, which is then allocated through the CMS to the CDC. The CDC buys the vaccines at a discount and distributes them to VFC program providers.
The VFC program saves state funds by purchasing vaccines in bulk through CDC contracts at lower prices. Prior to the VFC program, private physicians in Pennsylvania purchased vaccines for Medicaid-eligible children at private market prices, passing these costs on to the state. Now, vaccines are purchased at lower federal contract prices and distributed to healthcare providers for administration to VFC-eligible children. This saves parents and enrolled providers more than $1280.50 per child in out-of-pocket vaccine expenses.
The VFC program removes vaccine costs as a barrier to immunization for eligible children, reducing referrals to public clinics and facilitating their return to their private medical home for comprehensive care. The program provides a source of funding for a large percentage of the nation's children, promoting the implementation of new vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and approved by the CDC.
State and local health departments and Medicaid agencies play a pivotal role in recruiting private physicians for the program and informing parents and guardians of eligible children that vaccines are available through the VFC program. The WIC, Maternal and Child Health (MCH) programs, and federally qualified health centers operating within the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) also have extensive contact with families whose children may be eligible for the VFC program.
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State funds are used to purchase vaccines for underinsured children
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program was established by a 1993 amendment to the Social Security Act. It provides federal funds for the purchase of vaccines for children under 18 years of age in four categories: Medicaid-eligible, uninsured, Native American/Alaska Native, and underinsured. The VFC program is funded through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and falls within the Medicaid law. All State Medicaid programs across the United States encourage their participating physicians to enroll in the VFC Program.
Under the VFC program, underinsured children are eligible to receive vaccines only through a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or Rural Health Clinic (RHC). This means that underinsured children can access vaccines at federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics that have a provider agreement with the VFC program.
In addition to the standard VFC program, some states have implemented enhanced-VFC programs. These states provide free vaccines to non-VFC-eligible and underinsured children who are seen in the public sector. They fund these efforts using a combination of Section 317 and state general revenue funds to purchase vaccines for children who are not covered by the standard VFC program. There are currently 15 states with enhanced-VFC programs.
State funds are also used to purchase vaccines for underinsured children in the offices of private providers. This ensures that underinsured children can access vaccines not only at FQHCs and RHCs but also through private providers. By utilizing state funds to supplement the VFC program, these states are able to expand vaccine coverage and improve health equity for underinsured children.
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Frequently asked questions
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program provides vaccines to children whose parents or guardians may not be able to afford them.
The VFC is funded by federal tax dollars through the CDC, which buys the vaccines at a discount and distributes them to VFC Program providers. States and territories are responsible for managing their own VFC programs.
Children younger than 19 years of age who are uninsured, Medicaid-eligible, Medicaid-enrolled, American Indian or Alaska Native, or underinsured are eligible for the VFC.
To find a VFC provider near you, contact your State/Territory VFC Coordinator.
