Uninsured or on Medicaid, Kids 18 and Under Can Use VFC
Children 18 or younger who are uninsured, enrolled in or eligible for Medicaid, or American Indian or Alaska Native can get vaccines through the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, at VFC-enrolled public and private providers, including the child’s regular doctor. CDC says VFC eliminates or reduces vaccine costs for parents, and enrolled providers can’t charge you for the publicly supplied vaccine itself.
Children whose insurance doesn’t fully cover vaccines (for example, it doesn’t include vaccines, has a fixed dollar cap for them, or has copays or an initial deductible for them) can get VFC vaccines only at places such as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs); children in a separate CHIP program are considered insured and don’t qualify. This article follows two CDC pages: who qualifies and where to go.
What VFC is
CDC explains (CDC about the Vaccines for Children Program):
- Purpose: provides vaccines to children whose parents or guardians may not be able to afford them.
- A legal right: eligible children 18 or younger are entitled to it by law.
- Cost: it eliminates or reduces vaccine costs for parents or guardians.
- Where to go: VFC-enrolled public and private health care providers, including the child’s regular doctor.
Who qualifies
CDC’s eligibility guidance (CDC Vaccines for Children Program eligibility): 18 or younger, and one of the following.
- Uninsured: children without health insurance.
- Medicaid: children enrolled in Medicaid or eligible for Medicaid.
- American Indian or Alaska Native.
- Underinsured for vaccines: children whose insurance doesn’t include vaccines, has a fixed dollar cap for them, or doesn’t provide first-dollar coverage for them (for example, has copays or an initial deductible); they can get VFC vaccines only at FQHCs, RHCs or other designated locations.
Who doesn’t qualify
- Separate CHIP: children in a separate CHIP program are considered insured and don’t qualify for VFC.
- Insurance that covers vaccines: children whose insurance covers vaccines don’t qualify, even if a claim is denied because the deductible hasn’t been met.
- How to read the two rules: “an initial deductible counts as underinsured” and “not yet meeting the deductible doesn’t qualify” are both on the same CDC page; ask a VFC provider to screen your child to see which applies. CDC says all VFC providers must screen each child’s eligibility and record it at every visit.
For finding adult vaccine records, see No National Vaccine Record Database, Ask Your State Registry; for flu vaccines, see Flu Shots Advised Each Season from 6 Months, at Pharmacies; for choosing a primary care doctor, see Pick a Primary Doctor First, HMOs Usually Need Referrals. Our education site has a guide on the vaccine records children need for school enrollment.
What this article did not check
- Fees for giving the shot: the eligibility page only says the vaccine itself can’t be charged for; neither page covers other fees such as for giving the shot, so this article doesn’t either.
- Which VFC providers are near you: this article did not check; you can start by asking your child’s regular doctor whether they’re enrolled in VFC.
- Immigration status: these two pages don’t say, so this article doesn’t either.
Frequently asked questions
My child has no insurance. Can they get vaccinated?
Yes. CDC says children 18 or younger without health insurance qualify for VFC.
My child has CHIP. Do they qualify?
Children in a separate CHIP program are considered insured and don’t qualify for VFC.
Do VFC vaccines cost anything?
VFC providers can’t charge you for the publicly supplied vaccine itself; these two pages don’t cover other fees such as for giving the shot.
Our insurance covers vaccines, but we haven’t met the deductible. Do we qualify?
The same CDC page has two rules: children whose insurance doesn’t provide first-dollar coverage for vaccines (copays or an initial deductible) count as underinsured and can get VFC vaccines at places such as FQHCs and RHCs; children whose insurance covers vaccines but who haven’t met the deductible don’t qualify. Ask a VFC provider to screen your child to see which applies.
Sources and dates checked
All checked on 2026-10-31.
- CDC, About the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program (page updated 2026-08-27):https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-for-children/about/index.html
- CDC, Vaccines for Children Program Eligibility (page updated 2026-08-27):https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-for-children/hcp/program-eligibility/index.html