Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program

What is Vaccines for Children Program?

The Vaccines For Children (VFC) program is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay. More information is located in the link above. (CDC)

Which children are eligible for the Vaccines for Children Program?

CDC provides general information about the children that qualify for the program located in the link above.
Within the state of Oklahoma, the following children, birth through 18 years of age, are eligible to receive vaccine through the Vaccines For Children Program:
- SoonerCare eligible: A child who is enrolled in SoonerCare or who is eligible for SoonerCare
- Uninsured: A child who has no health insurance coverage
- American Indian or Alaskan Native
- Underinsured: (Underinsured children may receive VFC vaccines at county health departments, rural health clinics or federally qualified health centers.)
  - A child who has private health insurance but whose insurance coverage does not include vaccines,
  - A child whose insurance covers only selected vaccines (VFC-eligible for non-covered vaccines only),
  - A child whose insurance caps vaccine coverage at a certain amount. Once that coverage amount is reached, the child is categorized as underinsured and is eligible to receive VFC vaccines.

Children whose health insurance covers the cost of vaccinations are not eligible for VFC vaccines, even when a claim for the cost of the vaccine and its administration would be denied for payment by the insurance carrier because the plan's deductible has not been met. If your child has private insurance, vaccines are probably covered by your insurance.
Oklahoma's Insurance Law requires most health insurance plans to cover all vaccines required to attend school and child care in Oklahoma.

To find a clinic or doctor near you that participates in the VFC program call your local county health department and ask for your Immunization Field Consultant.

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

Doctors can charge a fee to administer each shot. If the family can't afford the fee, the fee must be excused.
A VFC-eligible child cannot be refused a vaccination due to the parent's or guardian's inability to pay for shot administration.
There can be a fee for the office visit.
There can be fees for other non-vaccine services provided during the same visit like an eye exam or blood test.

How do I become a Vaccines for Children Provider in Oklahoma?

1. Contact Immunization Services to begin the process at (405) 426-8580 or email us at immunize@health.ok.gov.

2. Begin recording your freezer and refrigerator temperatures using the VFC Temperature Log.

Refrigerator and freezer temperatures must be within the required range to store vaccines.
Note that dormitory or dorm-style refrigerators are no longer acceptable for VFC vaccine storage at any time!
Please refer to the documents below for acceptable refrigerators and freezers to store vaccines requirements for thermometers.
- VFC Refrigerator and Freezer Buying Guide
- VFC Thermometer Requirements and Guide

3. Complete two (2) VFC Orientation visits. After your process has begun, you will be contacted by a representative of the Immunization Service to schedule two (2) orientation visits.

VFC Program Orientation - Review of the requirements for participation in the VFC Program.
- Most of the requirements are procedures that all clinics providing already have in place.
VFC Clinical Orientation - Review of vaccine administration guidelines and vaccine schedules

4. Received your first shipment of vaccine.

You will receive your first shipment of vaccine after the orientation visits are completed, and when documentation that your refrigerator and freezer temperatures are within the required temperature range for 5 days has been reviewed. Clinics enrolling in the VFC Program will receive regular visits by an Immunization Filed Consultant.

VFC Program and VFC Provider Responsibilities

Roles and Responsibilities of VFC Providers

Appeals Language

VFC Provider Update Form

VFC Storage & Handling Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: If a child is eligible for insurance and the parents choose not to insure the child, would the child be eligible for VFC vaccine?
A: If the child has no health insurance on the day he/she presents at the office for immunizations, regardless of the reason, the child would be VFC eligible because he/she is uninsured.

Q: If a VFC-eligible child starts a vaccine series (such as hepatitis B) at age 18, can the series be completed using VFC vaccine after the child turns 19?
A: No. Children are eligible to participate in the VFC program only through age 18 years regardless of the child???s immunization status (series completed or series not completed) when they age out of VFC.

Interesting Facts

All children from birth through 18 years of age who are covered by SoonerCare/Medicaid are considered VFC eligible because of their Medicaid status.

ACIP recommends all 11-12 year old males receive human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. View the press briefing here on the CDC website . Quadrivalent HPV vaccine is available through the VFC Program for males ages 9 through 18 years.