Last Updated:
02/01/12 09:17:25 AM
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Vaccines
for Children Program |
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Introduction to the
Vaccines for Children Program |
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The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program was created as
part of the federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act,
Section 1928 of the Social Security Act, in August 1993.
The goal of this federally funded program is to improve
vaccine availability nationwide by providing vaccines at
no cost to VFC-eligible children through public and
private providers enrolled in the program. The program
is regulated by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) and National Immunization Program
(NIP). The VFC program is now operational in all 50
states and eight territories including the U.S. Virgin
Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam. Nevada began its VFC
program in October of 1994 under the administration of
the Bureau of Community Health, Immunization Program.
VFC vaccines are purchased under contract by the
Immunization Program and are supplied to enrolled VFC
providers at no cost. |
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Nevada Immunization
Program Objectives |
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To increase the immunization levels of children by
eliminating the cost barrier that has prevented some
private health care providers from immunizing children
whose parents could not afford the vaccine. It also
helps ensure that every VFC eligible child does not
contract a vaccine preventable disease. The Nevada
Immunization program works closely with community
immunization programs to help develop and implement
systems to assess immunizations levels state wide. |
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Patient Eligibility |
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Before administering a VFC vaccine to a child, the
provider will question the child’s parent or guardian to
determine whether the child is eligible. Children
between the ages of birth through 18 years are eligible
for VFC vaccines in Nevada if they meet at least one of
the following criteria:
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Are enrolled or are eligible to enroll in Medicaid,
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Have no health insurance,
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Are American Indian or Alaskan Native, or
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Are underinsured. (Underinsured defined: A
child whose health insurance plan does not include
vaccinations; health insurance covers only select
vaccines; health insurance caps the vaccine cost at
a certain limit; These children must be seen
at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or
Rural Health Center (RHC) or county clinics.
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Provider Requirements |
Any physician, healthcare organization or medical
practice licensed by the state of Nevada to
prescribe and administer vaccines, may enroll as a
provider in the Nevada VFC program. Requirements for
provider enrollment are simple yet ensure
accountability.
Requirements include:
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Administer vaccines supplied by the State
Immunization Program to VFC-eligible children
and NV-Checkup enrolled children.
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Maintain eligibility records and all other VFC-related
paperwork for a minimum of three (3) years.
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Upon request, make eligibility information
records available to the Nevada Immunization
Program.
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Comply with the appropriate immunization
schedule, dosage and contraindications as
established by the Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices (ACIP).
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Provide up-to-date vaccine information
statements (VIS) and maintain records in
accordance with the National Childhood Vaccine
Injury Act.
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Not impose a fee for the cost of the vaccine.
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Charge a vaccine administration fee that is not
above the fee cap established by the State.
Nevada Fee Cap $16.13
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The provider will not deny administration of a
VFC vaccine to a child due to the accompanying
adult’s inability to pay an administration fee.
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Comply with the requirements for reporting and
other requirements as outlined by the State.
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Assume responsibility for the proper handling
and storage of state provided vaccines after
delivery to the provider facility.
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NEW -
2011-2012 Flu Vaccine Request Memo
ROUND
4 (PDF)
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NEW -
UPS Pickup Request Form for
Expired or Spoiled Vaccine (PDF)
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NEW -
Eligibility Report of Doses
Administered Form (PDF)
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NEW -
Vaccine Request and Inventory and
Accountability Report (PDF)
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NEW -
2011-2012 Flu Vaccine
Accountability Report (PDF)
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NEW -
Temperature Log (PDF)
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NEW -
Vaccine Incident Report (PDF)
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NEW -
Office Vaccine Management Plan (WORD)
This template was
provided by Pam Forest, Quality Assurance Manager for
the VFC Program. |
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Charges and Fees for
Immunization of VFC clients |
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VFC enrolled patients may not be charged for the cost of
a vaccine provided by the Nevada State Immunization
Program. However, office visits may be charged and
Medicaid and Medicaid Health Maintenance Organizations
(HMOs) may be billed for vaccine administration fees.
Families not covered by Medicaid or Medicaid HMOs may be
charged a vaccine administration fee. This
administration fee should not exceed the fee cap of
$16.13, which is established by the Health Care
Financing Administration (HCFA). This fee may be
adjusted based on the family’s ability to pay. |
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VFC Enrollment Forms |
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317 Enrollment Forms |
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Only specific providers are
allowed to enroll into the 317 Program.
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Vaccine Storage |
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VFC vaccinations cannot be denied to an established VFC-eligible
patient due to the inability of the parents to pay the
administration fee. |
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Use of VFC Vaccines |
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VFC vaccines may only be used only for VFC eligible
clients. The provider should ensure that privately
purchased vaccines are distinguished from VFC-supplied
vaccines. |
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Contact Information |
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For additional information about
this program, please contact the Nevada State
Immunization Program at (775) 684-5900 or
nviz@health.nv.gov.
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