VFC Program: Vaccines for Uninsured Children

The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program helps provide vaccines to children whose parents or guardians may not be able to afford them. This helps ensure that all children have a better chance of getting their recommended vaccinations on schedule. These vaccines protect babies, young children, and adolescents from 16 diseases (see the list)

Vaccines available through the VFC Program are those recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) purchases and distributes the vaccines to private and public health care providers who are enrolled in the VFC Program. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services fund the program through Medicaid.

The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program helps eligible kids get their recommended vaccinations.

Who Is Eligible for the VFC Program?

Medicaid-eligible
Uninsured
American Indian or Alaska Native
Underinsured if receiving VFC vaccines at a Federally Qualified Health Center or Rural Health Clinic

What Is Underinsured?

Underinsured means your child has health insurance, but it

Doesn't cover vaccines, or
Doesn't cover certain vaccines, or
Covers vaccines but has a fixed dollar limit or cap for vaccines. Once that fixed dollar amount is reached, your child is then eligible.

Underinsured children are eligible to receive vaccines only at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) or Rural Health Clinics (RHC). An FQHC is a type of provider that meets certain criteria under Medicare and Medicaid programs. If you need help locating an FQHC or RHC, contact your state VFC coordinator.

What Is the Cost?

Photo: Doctor and boy looking at medical poster of skeleton

There is no charge for any vaccines given by a VFC provider to eligible children.

There is no charge for any vaccines given by a VFC provider to eligible children. But there can be some other costs with a vaccination:

Doctors can charge a set (or standard) fee to administer each shot. But if you cannot afford the fee per shot, the doctor must excuse the fee. If your child is VFC-eligible, he cannot be refused a vaccination because you are unable to pay the fee for administering the shot.
There can be a fee for the office visit.
There can be fees for non-vaccine services, like an eye exam or blood test.

Where Can My Child Get Vaccinated?

If your child is eligible (see above), check that your child's doctor is a VFC Program provider.

If your child's doctor isn't a VFC provider, you can contact one of the following places to get VFC vaccinations:

Public health clinic (local health department)
Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)
Rural Health Clinic (RHC)

The best place to take your child depends on where you live and what type of eligibility your child has under the VFC Program. Contact your state's VFC Coordinator to find out where to take your child for VFC vaccinations.

You can find your state's VFC coordinator online. Or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) and ask for the phone number of your state's VFC Coordinator.

Federal Funding, State Management

The VFC Program is funded through Medicaid. In general, state health departments manage the VFC Program, but in some locations it may be managed by a city or territorial health department. Nationwide, there are more than 44,000 doctors enrolled in the VFC Program.