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)

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 the VFC program at VFC@dhs.wisconsin.gov

Contact the Immunization program at DHSImmProgram@dhs.wisconsin.gov.