Paying for Vaccines
If you do not have insurance or do not have the money to pay for your child’s vaccines, you need not worry. There are thousands of doctors throughout the country that participate in the Vaccines For Children Program (VFC), which provides free vaccines for eligible children. If you do not have a doctor, simply call your state’s health department and ask that they refer you to a doctor in your area or ask for a list of health department clinics where you can take your children to receive free vaccines.
State Health Department list
VFC link
Medicaid link
If you have health insurance that does not pay for vaccines or charges more than you can afford to pay to vaccinate your child, call your local health department and ask where you can go to receive free vaccines (“Federally Qualified Health Centers” are designated to provide vaccines for “underinsured” families).
Also, please take a moment to call your state’s congressional representatives (senators and house members) to tell them about your plight. A recent proposal on Capitol Hill would allow “underinsured” families to take their children to any health department (not just federally qualified health centers) for free vaccines. Tell your representatives how much this would mean to you and help us pass this important legislation
If you are from a working family and therefore do not qualify for Medicaid, your children may be eligible to receive healthcare benefits through your State’s Children’s Health Insurance Program which may include regular checkups, immunizations, eyeglasses, prescription drug coverage, and hospital care. To learn how you can sign your children up for this important program go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/home/schip.asp