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VFC Program

Phone: (877) 243-8832
Hours PST:
Mon-Thurs, 9AM–4:30PM
Friday, 9AM–4PM
Email:
MyVFCVaccines@cdph.ca.gov
Fax: (877) 329-9832

Provider Call Center

For VFA, LHD 317, and SGF,
myCAvax and
MyTurn Clinic IT support
Phone: (833) 502-1245
Hours PST:
Mon-Thurs, 9AM-4:30PM
Friday 9AM-4PM
Email: providercallcenter@cdph.ca.gov

VFC Eligibility & Documentation

These requirements apply to all VFC providers including hospitals, pharmacies and large healthcare systems.

Screen for VFC Eligibility at Every Immunization Visit

Screen all children from birth through 18 years prior to administering VFC vaccines.

Determine Which VFC Eligibility Criterion Is Met

To be VFC-eligible, patients must meet at least one of these four criteria. Verification of patient/parent response or self-identification of eligibility criteria is not required. No other factor may be considered when screening for VFC eligibility.

  • Medicaid-eligible (or enrolled): Has Medi-Cal as primary or secondary coverage
  • American Indian (AI) or Alaska Native (AN): As defined by the Indian Health Care Improvement Act
  • Uninsured: A child who has no health insurance coverage; who has private health insurance but the coverage does not include vaccines; a child whose insurance covers only selected vaccines.
  • Underinsured: Health insurance doesn’t cover vaccines, doesn’t cover all ACIP-recommended vaccines, or covers vaccines but with a fixed dollar limit (or cap); underinsured patients are only eligible to receive VFC vaccines at FQHC or RHC facilities.

Document VFC Eligibility in CAIR

Document patient eligibility in the California Immunization Registry (CAIR). Eligibility documentation must include these elements. Maintain patient eligibility screening records for a minimum of 3 years.

  • Date of screening
  • Whether or not the patient is VFC-eligible
  • Which VFC eligibility criterion (or criteria) was met

Ensure Vaccinators Only Use VFC Vaccines for VFC Patients

Staff who conduct eligibility screening are not necessarily vaccinators. Update practice protocols so vaccinators know when to pull from VFC or private stock. Organize storage units (PDF) to prevent administration errors.

Reminder: By California law, all provider locations must report doses administered (including eligibility and funding sources) to the California immunization registry within 72 hours—for both private and publicly supplied vaccines.