New York State Vaccines for Children Program

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Bureau of Immunization Vaccine Program provides management of the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. The Vaccine (VFC) Program is also responsible for vaccine acquired through the New York State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The Vaccine Program distributes publicly funded vaccine to private physicians' offices and public clinics to immunize VFC/CHIP-eligible children. Public and private providers enrolled in the program receive vaccine at no cost and are eligible to receive an administration fee. The publicly funded vaccine is then administered to eligible children at no cost to the parents/guardians.

VFC/CHIP-eligible children must be under 19 and meet at least one of the following eligibility categories:

  • Medicaid recipients (both fee-for-service and managed care)
  • Uninsured
  • Underinsured (A child who has commercial health insurance but the coverage does not include vaccines, a child whose insurance covers only selected vaccines [VFC-eligible for non-covered vaccines only], or a child whose insurance caps vaccine coverage at a certain amount or number of visits [VFC-eligible once that cap is exceeded])
  • American Indians/Alaskan Natives
  • Enrolled in the State Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

For Providers

Vaccine Ordering and Inventory

Program Overview

Enrolling in the VFC program has benefits for both providers and their patients:

  • Reduces vaccine cost as a barrier to vaccinating VFC-eligible children at the right time with the right vaccine.
  • Eliminates the need to refer children to public clinics, thereby allowing them to receive services in their medical homes.
  • Increases immunization rates because health care providers are able to offer vaccine to eligible patients that might not be able to afford them.

For additional information, go to:

How to Enroll

Providers wishing to enroll in the VFC program must complete both of the following forms:

New providers will be contacted by a NYSDOH Regional Representative to schedule an enrollment site visit prior to ordering vaccine.

Resources for Providers

Are you looking for monthly reporting forms, CPT codes, temperature logs, or immunization schedules?
Check the Appendix in the Vaccines for Children Provider Manual.

For Parents

For questions contact the New York State Vaccines for Children Program at nyvfc@health.state.ny.us or 1-800- 543-7468.