Vaccines for Children ( VFC ) FY26

2026-11-03

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) awards contracts to the manufacturers ofpediatric vaccines for the purchase of standard commercial pediatric vaccines . Vaccines are one of themost cost - effective ways to prevent disease and reduce healthcare costs . The Vaccine for Children ( VFC ) program established pursuant to Section 13631of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of1993 ( OBRA ' 93 ), guarantees federal support for the purchase and supply of sufficient quantities ofvaccine to the States to cover a defined group of children . The program helps assure theimplementation of effective immunization practices and proper use of vaccines to achieve higherimmunization coverage . Children ( 18 years - of - age or younger ) who qualify for immunization throughthe VFC purchase program include those who are ( 1 ) Medicaid - eligible , ( 2 ) without health insurance ,( 3 ) American Indian / Alaska native ( as defined in Subsection ( h )( 3 ) of the OBRA ' 93 ), or ( 4 ) childrenwith health insurance , which does not cover the cost of vaccines , if they receive their immunizations ata Federally - qualified health center or rural health clinic ( as defined by the Social Security Act ). Healthcare providers who agree to certain requirements are eligible through the States to receive free vaccinethrough this VFC purchase program . The establishment of these contracts provides an opportunity toutilize VFC funds and Section 317 vaccine purchase funds to obtain vaccines at prices below thoseavailable in the commercial marketplace . In addition , awardees may opt to purchase additionalquantities of vaccine under any resulting contract to provide immunizations for children who are notfederally vaccine - eligible children using state and local funds . Offerors for this requirement must bemanufacturers of pediatric vaccines in accordance with 42 U . S . C . ( S ) 1396s . The term " manufacturer " means any corporation , organization , or institution , whether public or private ( including Federal , State , and local departments , agencies , and instrumentalities ), which manufactures , imports , processes , ordistributes under its label any pediatric vaccine . The term " manufacture " means to manufacture , import , process , or distribute a vaccine .

Georgia

2026-04-29