Children’s Vaccine Information

The State of Washington’s childhood vaccine program is transitioning from a universal system, in which the state supplied vaccines to all children regardless of insurance status to one that supplies vaccines only for children who qualify for the Vaccines For Children (VCF) program. Children who qualify for the VCF include: children who are enrolled in Medicaid, children with no insurance, children with insurance that doesn’t pay for vaccines, and children of American Indian and Alaskan Native descent. Beginning July 1, 2009, children with health insurance will no longer be eligible to receive the state supplied Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, also known as Gardasil®. Beginning May 1, 2010, children with private health insurance will no longer be eligible for any state supplied vaccinations. If your child does have private health insurance, he/she can still receive vaccines, but your insurance plan will be billed for the cost of the vaccine and the administration fee. If the insurance plan does not cover the vaccine costs, you will be held responsible for payment.

Before you bring your child in for a visit, contact your insurance company to see which immunizations are covered. When you bring your child in for their visit, please make sure to bring your insurance coverage information. This will help us to know if your child is eligible for the VCF.