What is the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program and who is eligible?

VFC is a federal entitlement program designed to reduce or eliminate vaccine cost as a barrier to childhood vaccination. The program purchases vaccines from manufacturers at federal contract prices and provides them at no cost to participating public and private healthcare providers for use in children through age 18 years who are eligible for Medicaid, are uninsured, or are American Indian or Alaska Native. VFC also includes the RSV preventive antibody product (nirsevimab) recommended for all infants. Children whose health insurance benefit plan does not cover one or more vaccines included in VFC, or whose insurance plan has a fixed dollar cap for vaccines (after the cap is reached) are considered “underinsured” and are also able to receive VFC vaccine at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or Rural Health Clinic (RHC). This type of limited coverage plan is now uncommon because the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires ACA-compliant plans to cover ACIP-recommended vaccines with no deductible or copay.

If you are interested in becoming a VFC provider, you should contact your state immunization program. For more information on the VFC program in general, go to the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines-for-children/about/index.html.