VFC Program Provider Guidelines

The VFC Program provides vaccines to Medicaid-eligible children and VFC Program-eligible children who are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid. The VFC Program enrolls providers, including Medicaid and non-Medicaid providers, who provide immunizations to VFC Program-eligible children.

The VFC Program follows federal law in qualifying practitioners as VFC Program providers. The term "authorized for administration of pediatric vaccines," used in Section 1928(c)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396s (c)(1)(A)), is intended to mean authorized to prescribe vaccines. Therefore, any Florida-licensed medical doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), Physician Assistant (PA), or healthcare organization serving VFC Program-eligible children can become a VFC Program provider.

Physician participation guidelines are simple. Providers continue to vaccinate VFC Program-eligible children, following normal practice guidelines. Providers do not have to accept a child into their practice based solely on the child’s VFC Program eligibility.

Participation guidelines include:

• Complete a vaccine report form and report the number of vaccine doses administered, lost and/or wasted and current vaccine inventory on hand within the designated reporting schedule.
• Complete a yearly recertification application.
• Comply with the recommended immunization schedule.
• Follow the Standards for Child and Adolescent Immunization Practices.
• Maintain and retain a record of each child screened.
• Provide access to records as requested by the Florida Department of Health.
• Provide current Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) to the child's parent/guardian.
• Providers do not have to accept a child into the practice based solely on the child's VFC Program eligibility.
• Return expired and unserviceable vaccines to the VFC Program vaccine distributor for accountability purposes and excise tax credit.
• Screen each child's eligibility.

The Florida VFC Program provides training and support to VFC Program providers. Thank you for making VFC Program vaccines available to children in your medical home!

Vaccines Available Through the VFC Program

• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Acellular Pertussis (DTaP)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIB)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Influenza
• Meningococcal B
• Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV4)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella (MMRV)
• Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV13)
• Polio (IPV)
• Rotavirus
• Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td)
• Tetanus-Diphtheria-Acellular Pertussis (Tdap)
• Varicella
• Combination Vaccines (Pediarix®, Comvax®, Quadracel®, Pentacel®, Kinrix®, and ProQuad®)

The following vaccine is available by request for high-risk children only.

• Pneumococcal Polysaccharide (PPV23)

As the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves new vaccines or additional vaccine combinations and the ACIP recommends them, the VFC Program includes them in the program. Contact a VFC Program representative at 1-877-888-7468 for further information.