VACCINES FOR CHILDREN PROGRAM
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

CDC National Immunization Information Hotline
ENGLISH: 800-232-2522
ESPAÑOL: 800-232-0233 

safer ­ healthier ­ people

What is the Vaccines for  Children Program?
The Vaccine for Children (VFC) program is a federal program that 
provides eligible children all recommended vaccines at no cost. 
You may, however, be charged a small processing fee. The federal 
government pays for the vaccines, and doctors and clinics agree 
to give the vaccines to children who qualify. 

If your doctor is a VFC participating provider, you can get your 
child’s  shots in the doctor’s office. However, if your doctor 
is not a VFC participating provider, you can take your child to 
your local health department or to your community or rural 
health center clinic for these free or low cost vaccines.
Vaccines at No Cost for Eligible Children

Is my child eligible?
Children from birth through 18 years of age can receive vaccines 
through the VFC program if they are at least one of the following: 
eligible for Medicaid without health insurance American Indian or 
Alaska Native under-insured*

* Note: If you have health insurance that doesn't cover vaccines, your 
child  is eligible. However, you will have to go to a federally 
qualified health center or a rural health clinic for your VFC 
vaccinations. Call your local or state health department immunization 
program for a center  nearest you.

How much will I have to pay?
You won't pay anything for the vaccine itself, but you may be asked 
to pay a small processing fee. However, you can still get the vaccine, 
even if you can not pay this fee. The savings to you can be well over 
$400!

For more information on the VFC program, please call your local 
health department, your state immunization program or the National 
Immunization Hotline. Or visit the VFC website: www.cdc.gov/nip/vfc
National Immunization Hotline: 800-232-2522  
Hearing Impaired: 800-232-7889

Where can I get VFC vaccines for my child?
Most baby and family doctors take part in the VFC program. Ask your 
doctor. Or call your local or state health department immunization 
program to find out if your doctor is a VFC participating provider. 
They can also give you a list of VFC participating providers in your 
area.

For more information on the VFC program, please call your doctor, 
your local health department, or your state immunization program. 

You can also visit the national VFC Program website or call 
the National Immunization Hotline. The site and  numbers are 
listed at the top.

Which diseases can the VFC vaccines prevent?
Diphtheria
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B 
Measles 
Mumps
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Pneumococcal disease
Polio
Rubella (German measles)
Tetanus (lockjaw)
Varicella (chickenpox)

Some people think these diseases no longer exist. They do exist. 
But we seldom see most of them in the U.S. because of successful 
vaccination programs, such as the VFC program. The only way to 
keep from seeing these diseases often, and to protect our children 
from them, is to continue to vaccinate against them. 

Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention 
National Immunization Program 1600 Clifton Road ­ Atlanta, GA 30333