Immunizations

Immunization Program Changes:

Effective July 1, 2010, State funding for vaccines has been eliminated. Prior to this change, the NC Immunization Branch provided vaccines for children eligible for the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program with federal funds, and it provided vaccines for children who were not eligible for the VFC Program with state funds. The NC Immunization Branch will no longer provide vaccines for children who are not eligible for the federal VFC program.

Children birth through 18 years of age who meet at least one of the following criteria are eligible for VFC vaccine:

· Medicaid eligible

· American Indian or Alaskan Native

· Uninsured

· Underinsured children: children who have commercial (private) health insurance but the coverage does not include vaccines, children whose insurance covers only selected vaccines (VFC-eligible for non-covered vaccines only), or children whose insurance caps coverage at a certain amount – once the coverage amount is reached, these children are categorized as underinsured*

*Note: Children whose health insurance covers vaccinations are not eligible for VFC vaccines, even when a claim for the cost of the vaccine and its administration would be denied for payment by the insurance carrier because the plan’s deductible had not been met or because the insurance did not cover the total cost of the vaccine. Coverage for immunization services by insurance plans may fall into a category known as “wellness” or “prevention” services, which is sometimes capped, or limited, to a dollar amount annually, or over the life of the policy. If this limit has been reached, the child is eligible for VFC vaccines.

Child Health Immunization Clinic hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. No appointment is needed for Immunizations.

For more information, please contact our office at 910-893-7550 or visit the NC Immunization Branch website at http://www.immunizenc.com/Parents.htm.