Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

VFC Eligibility

            Effective January 2003, the Michigan Department of Community Health has mandated that only children eligible for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program may receive the benefits of that program. Eligible children include those who are enrolled in Medicaid, American Indians and Alaskan Natives, uninsured children and under-insured children whose insurance has no coverage for vaccinations. 

            Any child not eligible for the program must pay the cost for the vaccine and the cost to administer it.  If insurance covers either of these costs, patients should bring that to the attention of the Health Department staff at the time of the visit.

            All patients whose insurance doesn’t pay for vaccinations will be asked to cover some portion of the cost of the vaccine and visit based upon a sliding fee scale.  Patients unable to afford the cost for vaccination should inquire about the fee scale when they contact the Department.  Proof of income will be required and must be presented at the time of the visit.  

                Between June 1 and December 31, 2002, patients not covered by VFC seeking immunization at the Health Department will be advised that at their next visit they will be required to pay for their immunizations or have insurance which will cover the cost of immunization. 

            The Genesee County Health Department joins other local health departments in this immunization policy change.  For more information regarding the new VFC policy, contact Marilyn Legacy, RN, MSA, Immunization Supervisor, (810) 257-3634, at the Genesee County Health Department.