vfc site visit checklist

Contact VFC

Business hours: Monday - Thursday: 9 am – 4:30 pm Friday: 9 am – 4 pm Fax: 1-877-329-9832--> Phone: (877) 243-8832 Hours: Mon-Thurs, 9AM–4:30PM Friday, 9AM–4PM Send us an email Fax: (877) 329-9832

VFC Field Representatives
Find VFC providers
Send us your comments at MyVFCVaccines@cdph. ca.gov
Sign up for EZIZ emails
Frequently Asked Questions

Provider Requirements

To participate in the vfc program.

VFC providers agree to order and provide all age-appropriate ACIP-recommended vaccines to VFC-eligible patient populations. In exchange for federally funded vaccines, enrolled providers agree to partner with the VFC Program to ensure that program requirements are met in order to protect the integrity of the program as well as the provider’s vaccines and patients.

Enrollment in Medi-Cal is not required. Providers are not required to accept children solely because the children are eligible for the VFC Program.

VFC Program requirements are summarized in the annual Program Participation Requirements at a Glance and defined in the VFC Provider Agreement (federal agreement) and California VFC Program Provider Agreement Addendum.

Providers recertify each year and are visited periodically by VFC Field Representatives who conduct scheduled compliance visits and unannounced storage & handling visits to assess the provider’s compliance with CDC’s standards as well as other VFC Program requirements.

Compliance Visits

As a condition for participation in the VFC Program, providers must allow site visits from authorized VFC representatives. Site visits are educational opportunities designed to improve compliance with the VFC Program and thereby improve patient immunization levels. Enrolled and active providers receive a VFC compliance visit at least every other year, or more frequently if indicated. Site visits help determine provider compliance with VFC Program requirements, including adherence to vaccine eligibility screening and documentation, accountability, and vaccine management. The Provider of Record or Designee and all key practice staff responsible for vaccine management and administration must be present for site visits, which are scheduled to best accommodate the convenience of the practice.

VFC Resources

Provider Requirements

General Requirements
VFC Eligibility Screening & Documentation
Immunization Quality Improvement for Providers (IQIP)

Annual Recertification

Who, When, Where and What You Need to Do
Training Requirement
How the Program Works
How to Enroll

Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program: Information for Providers

What to know.

The VFC Program provides all routine vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) at no cost to participating healthcare providers.

VFC 30th anniversary vaccines for children 1994-2024

The VFC Program Benefits Your Patients and Your Practice

Many parents can’t afford to pay for vaccines on their own. Being a VFC Program provider is a sound investment in your practice and your patients’ health. Here are some of the benefits of participating in the VFC Program:

Reduces your up-front costs because you will not have to pay to purchase vaccines for VFC Program-eligible children.
Enables your patients to get the vaccines they need during routine appointments at their regular office.
Helps provide quality care to vulnerable children and adolescents.

Quick Links for Providers

VFC Program Benefits for Hospitals
CDC Vaccine Price List
You Call the Shots – VFC Program Training
Filing VAERS Reports
State & Territorial Health Department Websites
Resources to Promote the VFC Program
VFC Informational Flyer for Healthcare Providers
VFC Operations Guide
Addendum: Special Considerations for COVID-19 Vaccine and Nirsevimab

Enrolling in the VFC Program is a Simple Process

You don't have to be a Medicaid provider to participate in the VFC Program. Any healthcare provider (including pharmacists) authorized by their state law granting them the authority to administer vaccines by prescription, vaccine protocol, or prescribing authority can be a VFC Program provider. To enroll in the VFC Program:

Contact your state/local/territory VFC Program coordinator to request enrollment.
Complete and return the State Provider Enrollment forms as soon as possible.
Prepare for a site visit to go over the program's administrative requirements and proper storage and handling of vaccines once you have completed and returned the enrollment forms.

Administration Fees for VFC Program Vaccines

VFC Program providers cannot charge their patients for any vaccines given to eligible children. However, they can charge for other fees associated with a vaccination appointment. Types of fees a provider can charge:

A set or standard fee to administer each vaccine.
An office visit fee.
Fees for non-vaccine services that occur during a vaccination appointment, like an eye exam or a blood test.

If a parent or guardian cannot afford the fee (per vaccine), this fee must be removed so that they are not charged. A VFC Program provider cannot refuse vaccination for a VFC Program-eligible child due to the parent's or guardian's inability to pay for vaccine administration.

Annual Training Opportunities for VFC Program Providers

All VFC providers are required to participate in annual, comprehensive training. VFC providers should check with their state, local, or territorial immunization program regarding requirements.

CDC offers training modules and refresher test options that may fulfill these requirements.

Providers can complete one or two VFC-related modules in the You Call the Shots course series. Continuing education (CE) credit is offered for each module.

You Call the Shots Storage and Handling Module
You Call the Shots VFC Training Module

Experienced healthcare professionals familiar with VFC and federal storage and handling requirements can opt to take a refresher test to demonstrate their knowledge on these Note: No continuing education credits will be awarded for completing either refresher test.