Contact VFC

Phone: (877) 243-8832
Hours:
Mon-Thurs, 9AM–4:30PM
Friday, 9AM–4PM
Send us an email
Fax: (877) 329-9832

Vaccine Management

Introduction

Efforts to raise immunization levels in provider populations fall short if vaccine inventory is not managed to ensure viability. Vaccine inventory management is an essential practice that can prevent inadvertent vaccine loss due to temperature excursions. Success is dependent on five key factors:

Show A complete and up-to-date vaccine management plan

Show Properly trained key practice staff

Show Reliable vaccine storage units with sufficient capacity

Show VFC-compliant data loggers that are properly calibrated

Show Careful adherence to routine tasks that protect vaccine viability

Ordering

Routine Vaccines:

The California VFC Program offers a choice of routine vaccine brands and presentations (for example, single-dose vials or manufacturer-filled, single-dose syringes). Selection is at the discretion of providers.
 
VFC providers are expected to maintain an adequate inventory of all ACIP-recommended vaccines based on their patient population. Orders should be carefully timed to ensure sufficient inventory is on hand to allow time for order processing.

Flu Vaccines:

Unlike routine pediatric vaccines, VFC books a set number of flu doses in advance of the flu season. In order to ensure demand and full utilization of vaccines, each provider is allocated doses. Doses must be confirmed by the announced deadline or vaccines are released into the general supply. Detailed instructions will be provided to all enrolled providers in the annual VFC Program influenza letter.

Vaccine Usage and Reporting

All doses administered and on hand must be reported to the VFC Program as part of the submission process for routine and supplemental vaccine ordering. Providers may use an electronic immunization registry or health record system, or VFC (or equivalent) paper forms.

Doses Administered Forms:

Doses On Hand Form:

Vaccine Transfers and Returns