Immunizations: Vaccines for Children Program Information for Providers

Vaccines are one of the best ways to keep children healthy.

The VFC program gives access to free vaccines.

Vaccines prevent many diseases and stop viruses from spreading.

VFC information for parents and patients

The VFC program:

• Provides vaccines for children
• Covers vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and approved by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
• Saves parents and doctors out-of-pocket expenses for vaccines.
• Vaccinates more children by removing cost as a barrier.
• Offers better care for children by encouraging families to get vaccines from the child's doctor.

Learn more about VFC from the CDC

Who is eligible for VFC

Children ages 18 years and younger can get vaccines for free or at a lower cost. Your child is eligible if they:

• Are enrolled or eligible for Medicaid.
• Are American Indian or Alaska Native, as defined by the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C 1603).
• Don’t have health insurance.
• Have health insurance that doesn’t pay for all vaccines, making them eligible through a Federal Qualified Health Center or a Rural Health Clinic.

VFC training

For new VFC coordinators

New primary and backup vaccine coordinators must:

Watch the New Coordinator Training video (updated November 2021)

Print the VFC New Coordinator Orientation slideshow, P-03130 (PDF) (updated November 2021)

VFC annual training

At minimum, each primary and backup VFC coordinator at each VFC location must complete the required annual training.
To complete 2024 VFC Annual Training follow the steps below:

• Review the CDC’s 2023 “You Call the Shots” modules Vaccine for Children (VFC) and Vaccine Storage and Handling.
• Review the Wisconsin VFC Resource Guide, P-02723 (PDF) which contains the Wisconsin specific VFC Requirements.
• Once you have completed the training, both the primary and back-up coordinator must individually complete the RedCap Survey to receive credit for this requirement. If you are a coordinator for multiple sites, there is an option within the survey to list each site in which you are a coordinator.

Resources and forms

Temperature excursion reporting and workflow

It is important to store vaccines at the correct temperature. Proper storage allows vaccines to stay effective and protect our communities. Every vaccine storage unit must have a temperature monitoring device. Temperature logs show when temperatures go out of range, called an excursion.

When the temperature in a storage unit goes out of range:

1. Take immediate action. Move the affected vaccine to a working storage unit. Label the vaccines “Do not use,” but don’t throw out the affected vaccine.
2. Follow the instructions and guidance regarding temperature excursions, P-02050 (PDF)

For your convenience, here are phone numbers to contact the vaccine manufacturers:

• Dynavax: 844-375-4728
• GlaxoSmithKline: 888-825-5249
• Massachusetts Biological Labs: 617-474-3220
• MedImmune: 877-633-4411
• Merck: 800-672-6372
• Pfizer: 800-438-1985
• Sanofi-Pasteur: 800-822-2463
• Seqirus: 855-358-8966

3. If you need further guidance, email the Temperature Excursion Incident Report, F-02257 (Word) to vfc@dhs.wisconsin.gov. Be sure to copy your VFC representative on the email.

Vaccines available through VFC

Vaccines for children less than 19 years of age are available at no cost to VFC providers. This includes all vaccines approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

When the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends a newly approved vaccine, we’ll add it to the VFC program. Providers can order that vaccine as soon as it becomes available.

Vaccines currently available:

Contact information

VFC program VFC@dhs.wisconsin.gov

Immunization program DHSImmProgram@dhs.wisconsin.gov.