VFC Program Guidelines

Participating 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.

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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:

• Screen each child's eligibility.
• Maintain and retain a record of each child screened.
• Comply with the recommended immunization schedule approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Academy of Family Physicians.
• Follow the Standards for Child and Adolescent Immunization Practices.
• Provide current Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) to the child's parent/guardian.
• Provide access to records as requested by the Florida Department of Health.
• 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.
• Return expired and unserviceable vaccines to the VFC Program vaccine distributor for accountability purposes and excise tax credit.
• Providers do not have to accept a child into the practice based solely on the child's VFC Program 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!