Vaccines for Children in Montana
The federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides vaccines to enrolled providers for immunizing eligible children at no cost for the vaccine. Children through 18 years of age who meet eligibility requirements can receive VFC vaccine. Since its inception in 1994, the VFC program has improved vaccine availability, increased immunization coverage, and reduced disparities in access to health care.
The Montana Immunization Program implements the VFC program within the state.
Who is eligible for VFC vaccine?
Children through 18 years of age who meet at least one of the following criteria are eligible to receive VFC vaccine:
- Medicaid eligible: A child who is eligible for Healthy Montana Kids Plus. (Children enrolled in Healthy Montana Kids have private insurance and are not VFC-eligible).
- Uninsured: A child who has no health insurance coverage
- American Indian or Alaska Native
- Underinsured*: A child who has private health insurance, but the coverage does not include vaccines; covers only selected vaccines (VFC-eligible for non-covered vaccines only), or a child whose insurance caps vaccine coverage at a certain amount. Once that coverage amount is reached, the child is categorized as underinsured.
*Underinsured children are eligible to receive VFC vaccine only through Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) or Rural Health Clinics (RHC).
Where can my child receive VFC vaccine?
Eligible children can receive VFC vaccine at a VFC-enrolled healthcare provider.
What is the cost for VFC vaccine?
There is no charge for VFC vaccine. Providers may charge an administration fee of up to $21.32 per injection.
*How do we locate a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or Rural Health Clinic (RHC)?
FQHC and RHC facilities are marked with an asterisk (*) on the list of Montana VFC Providers and red dot on the map.
Who do we contact for more information?
Contact a VFC provider in your area or your local health department. You can also call the Montana Immunization Program as 444-5580 or email hhsiz@mt.gov.
What immunizations does my child need?
Resources for Current VFC Providers
Who is eligible to be a VFC provider?
Any Montana healthcare provider who meets the following criteria can enroll in the VFC Program:
- Serves VFC-eligible children 0 through 18 years of age
- Has a valid license and prescription writing authority for immunizations
- Is not excluded from participating in Medicare, Medicaid and other Federal health care programs
VFC providers can be both public and private facilities and those not registered as Medicaid providers. Pharmacists can enroll, but are limited to administering influenza vaccines to children 12 through 18 year of age and ACIP-recommended immunizations under a collaborative practice agreement to children 7 through 18 years of age.
VFC providers must sign a Provider Agreement annually and meet all program requirements as described in our VFC Provider Handbook.
Who is eligible for VFC vaccine?
Children through 18 years of age who meet at least one of the following criteria are eligible to receive VFC vaccine:
- Medicaid eligible: A child who is eligible for Healthy Montana Kids Plus. (Children enrolled in Healthy Montana Kids have private insurance and are not VFC-eligible).
- Uninsured: A child who has no health insurance coverage
- American Indian or Alaska Native
- Underinsured*: A child who has private health insurance, but the coverage does not include vaccines; covers only selected vaccines (VFC-eligible for non-covered vaccines only), or a child whose insurance caps vaccine coverage at a certain amount. Once that coverage amount is reached, the child is categorized as underinsured.
*Underinsured children are eligible to receive VFC vaccine only through Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) or Rural Health Clinics (RHC).
What are the vaccine storage and handling requirements of the VFC Program?
VFC providers must use CDC recommended vaccine storage units and digital thermometers called data loggers as outlined in our Storage Unit/Data Logger Requirement Handout and described in detail in our VFC Provider Handbook section 13 and section 14.
How do I enroll as a VFC provider?
The first step is to contact the Montana Immunization Program (444-5580 hhsiz@mt.gov). We will mail you an enrollment packet containing enrollment information and a paper copy of the Provider Agreement. Once we receive the signed Provider Agreement from your facility, we start the enrollment process, which includes
- Completing the VFC Education Requirement (online)
- Registering for imMTrax access
- Setting up vaccine storage units and data loggers
- Hosting an enrollment visit from the Montana Immunization Program
Who do we contact for more information?
Contact the Montana Immunization Program for more information. 444-5580 hhsiz@mt.gov