VFC Pharmacy Pilot

Thank you for your interest!

The VFC Program is exploring how pharmacy enrollment could assist with expansion of the VFC network in geographic areas with a scarcity of VFC providers. Pharmacies serve as an important community-based access point for vaccinations and could allow VFC to quickly reach vulnerable Medi-Cal/VFC-eligible children outside the existing provider network. This pilot will provide valuable data to identify needs and support services required to ensure successful participation in the VFC Program.

During this limited pilot, enrollment is open on a limited basis to select pharmacies.

Pharmacy Benefits

No-cost vaccine
Entitled to Professional Consultation fee
- Pharmacists who initiate the vaccine are providing Professional Pharmacist Services and may bill for evaluation and management portion of visit (evaluation/assessment to determine appropriateness of vaccine and includes history, examination and medical decision-making)
Entitled to Professional Administration fee

Selection Criteria

The VFC Program is recruiting pharmacies with successful vaccine administration rates that are located in zip codes that rank in the two lowest quartiles of the Healthy Places Index. Additionally, pharmacies based in areas of high VFC-eligible populations will increase access to VFC vaccines.

Pilot Duration

The pilot will be evaluated annually. Accounts may be terminated at the end of the pilot. Enrollment is conditional upon compliance with pilot participation requirements.

Requirements for Pilot Participation

1. VFC Program Requirements

See Requirements at a Glance for Pharmacies that summarizes the VFC Provider Agreement and California’s Provider Agreement Addendum.

2. Vaccine Administration

Administer flu vaccine to all VFC-eligible children ages 3-18 years, or younger if immunizing pursuant to a protocol with a prescriber.
Vaccinate all “walk-in” VFC-eligible children. (“Walk-in” refers to any VFC-eligible child who presents requesting a vaccine.)
Do not refuse to vaccinate VFC-eligible children based on a parent’s inability to pay the administration fee.
Consider administering all age-appropriate ACIP-recommended vaccines to all VFC-eligible recipients.

3. Storage and Handling

A standalone refrigerator is required (exception granted for purpose-built or pharmaceutical-grade units approved by the VFC Program).
A standalone freezer is required if storing VFC-supplied frozen vaccines (exception granted for purpose-built or pharmaceutical-grade units approved by the VFC Program).
One digital data logger per storage unit is required plus an additional backup device.
Monitor and record storage unit temperatures on CDPH temperature logs twice daily.
Must not transfer VFC vaccines to non-VFC providers.

4. Participation in California Immunization Registry (CAIR)

Conduct VFC eligibility screening and documentation and record in CAIR for each immunization visit.
Report doses administered in CAIR (see CAIR and Pharmacies and CAIR).

5. Vaccine Ordering

Order flu vaccines in myCAvax within 30 days of enrollment approval, then weekly or as needed.
Other VFC vaccines may be ordered quarterly.

6. Data Collection

Participating pharmacies agree to respond to surveys, attend webinars, and/or complete other similar quarterly activities designed to identify barriers, successes and benefits pharmacies may derive from program participation.
An initial enrollment site visit is required to ensure pharmacies meet all requirements and offers the opportunity to talk directly with a field representative on any questions or support needed. Additional compliance visits, unannounced storage and handling visits, educational visits, etc. may be scheduled as needed.