Amelia Flores
Vaccine Coordinator/TVFC
P: 512.393.5539
F: 512.393.5530
amelia.flores@co.hays.tx.us
Since its inception in 1994, Texas has participated in the Federal Vaccines for Children Program (VFC). Our version is called the Texas Vaccines for Children Program (TVFC). The Program was initiated by the passage of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. This legislation guaranteed vaccines would be available at no cost to providers, in order to immunize children (birth – 18 years of age) who meet the eligibility requirements.
Today there are more than 6,500 Texas providers enrolled in TVFC. Here in Hays County, we have 19 providers that are enrolled in the TVFC Program.
Texas leads the nation in the number of uninsured and underinsured children. We also have over 3 million Texas children on Medicaid (Federal Fiscal Year 2009 data). Many of these children are not receiving the complete series of immunizations required to protect them from vaccine-preventable diseases.
| We need your help in order to ensure the health and future of Texas children. | |
| If you are not enrolled in TVFC, please consider enrolling. The process is simple:
· fill out Provider Enrollment and Provider Profile forms, · agree to screen for eligibility, · agree to maintain screening records, and · agree to maintain vaccine safety and inventory.
|
Under TVFC, the following groups of children (birth – 18 years of age) should receive free vaccines:
· uninsured or underinsured children, · children who are covered by CHIP, · children who are of Native American or Native Alaskan heritage, and · children on Medicaid.
|
If a provider is enrolled in the TVFC Program, they will no longer have to refer their uninsured children to a public health center for immunizations. Instead, they will be able to continue to provide care to the child at their office, thus benefiting the provider and client. Ask your health care provider if they are enrolled in the TVFC Program.
| A fully immunized society is necessary to reach optimum eradication of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases. With your help, we can reach these goals leading to a healthier Texas.
For more information about the Texas Vaccine For Children program, visit the Texas Department of State Health’s website at http://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/. |