Parents don’t need to worry about whether they can afford to vaccinate their kids, thanks to the free Vaccines for Children program.
Since 1994, the program has helped children get their recommended vaccinations against preventable diseases. It is available through Sanford Health family medicine and pediatric clinics.
The program is working to keep all children in the U.S. healthy by helping families learn about, trust, find and pay for vaccinations – especially families who may not know they qualify.
“Families and children who were privately insured previously may not know this program is available,” said Andrea Polkinghorn, Sanford Health immunization strategy leader. “Children stand to benefit who might be uninsured now because parents lost their jobs.”
Who qualifies for Vaccines for Children
As outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children who are 18 years old or younger and meet at least one of the following criteria are eligible:
- A child who is eligible for or enrolled in the Medicaid program
- A child who is enrolled in a Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) that is part of an expanded Medicaid program
- A child with no health insurance coverage
- A child who is of American Indian or Alaska Native descent
- A child who has private health insurance but coverage does not include vaccines or does not cover vaccines otherwise covered by VFC or whose insurance caps vaccine coverage at a certain amount
Children are not eligible for VFC vaccines if their health insurance covers the cost of vaccinations.
Catching up on vaccines
If a child is behind on their vaccine schedule, they can catch up on their routine vaccines through the VFC program. Parents can call or visit their provider to discuss how their child can get caught up to schedule.
“The VFC program is federally funded and includes all the routinely recommended vaccines to each state,” Polkinghorn said. “So, every vaccine that is recommended — even those outside of school requirements — is available through the VFC program.”
More than 44,000 providers are enrolled in the Vaccines for Children program nationwide. Locally, Polkinghorn recommends contacting a nearby Sanford Health family or pediatric clinic regarding vaccinations.
Find participating providers:
- Sanford Health vaccination providers
- Vaccines for Children information for parents, including locations nationwide
Read more
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Posted In Back to School, Children's, Immunizations
