Vaccines for Children - HAN
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Overview
Please go to this website to sign up for COVID-19 Vaccine Training and stay up-to-date on the commercialization of COVID-19 vaccines.
Welcome to the Chicago VFC Health Alert Network (HAN) page!
This is your one-stop-shop for information, resources,
VFC policies, and frequently-requested paperwork.
Stay up to date: How to register for the HAN
VFC Eligibility Basics
Children 18 years old and younger are eligible for VFC vaccine if they are one or more of the following:
Medicaid eligible
Uninsured
American Indian or Alaska Native
Underinsured (i.e. health insurance doesn't cover immunization) - only at FQHC's and CDPH's walk-in clinics
How to use MEDI to determine VFC eligibility
How to Become a new VFC Provider
VFC Provider Agreement
VFC Provider Profile Form
2024 VFC Manual
The VFC Manual is a living document and any edits/additions will be made as needed.
VFC Program Annual Re-Enrollment
Know another provider interested in the VFC program?
Share this VFC recruitment flier with them!
Wanting to complete your annual re-enrollment requirement?
- At the beginning of each year, VFC providers need to re-enroll.
- For additional guidance on updating your yearly staff training please click here.
- For additional guidance on updating your VFC appliances and data logger certification please click here (Attach VFC Appliance instructions)
- At the beginning of each year, VFC providers need to re-enroll.
- For Step by step guidance on how to complete the 2024 Re-enrollment please follow the PDF guidance attached here.
CHIP Vaccine Information
1
VFC Guidance for the CHIP Program
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health coverage to eligible children, through both Medicaid and separate CHIP programs. CHIP is administered by states, according to federal requirements. The program is funded jointly by states and the federal government.
2
Eligibility
The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) serves uninsured children up to age 19 in families with incomes too high to qualify them for Medicaid. States have broad discretion in setting their income eligibility standards, and eligibility varies across states.
For more detailed information please click here.
VFC News Bulletins
The VFC News Bulletin is a monthly bulletin that provides healthcare providers with most current information regarding the Chicago Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program.
VFC News Bulletins
Explore current and past versions of the VFC News Bulletins here.
VFC Program
Digital Data Loggers (DDL's) and Cloud Services
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for DDL's has soared while supply has remained limited. CDC understands this and is extending temporary flexibilities to providers who need assistance until supplies increase. Check this document for detail on what to do if your DDL has passed its recalibration date or isn't functioning properly.
DDL Information
- DDL FAQ
- Downloading VFC 400 Software
- Introduction to VFC400 DDL's
- VFC 400 Operations
- VFC400 Configuration Settings
- How to Locate Temperature Data Files
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Recalibration instructions
Daily Temperature Logs
- Fahrenheit: Refrigerator / Freezer
- Celsius: Refrigerator / Freezer
VFC400 Cloud Information
- Cloud Setup Guide
- VTMC Cloud Checklist for Data Uploads
- FAQ for VTMC Cloud
- Introduction to VTMC Cloud
VFC311 Digital Data Logger Installation and Usage
I-CARE Basics
I-CARE How-To Guides
I-CARE is Illinois' immunization registry - please input vaccinations for all your patients, not just those in the VFC program!
VFC Tools And Policies
Vaccine Management Tools
Temperature Excursion Protocol
(consider printing and posting on your fridge or freezer)- Inventory Analysis Helper Report Guide
- Three Steps to Achieve Inventory Accuracy - Provider Resource
- Vaccine Return Form
- Removing Expired Vaccines
- Vaccine Return Process
- Reporting COVID-19 Wastage in I-CARE
Vaccine Management Policies
Miscellaneous
- Vaccine Replacement log
- IL Blended Inventory Eligibility Tree (effective 1-14-2023)
- Adding Private Vaccine to I-CARE
- Patient Eligibility Screening Record
Training
Immunization Resources
COVID-19
- How to talk about COVID-19 vaccines with parents (CDC)
- Johnson&Johnson/Janssen vaccine (ages 18+)
- Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine (ages 16+)
- Moderna vaccine (ages 18+)
How-To's
How to report a communicable disease in your clinic (reporting flyer)
Day-To-Day Provider References
Interacting with Parents
CDC Provider Resources for Vaccine Conversations with Parents
6 Reasons to Get the HPV Vaccine for Your Child (infographic)
5 Reasons Why the HPV Vaccination is Recommended for Pre-Teens Flyer (infographic)
For Your Clinic
Vaccine Information Statements (VIS's)
Free behavioral health assistance: Illinois Doc Assist
Infographic: Screening Won’t Protect Your Patients from Most HPV Cancers
Measles
More information on measles can be found here
HL7 Onboarding, Migration, & Data Quality
If you are a new provider to our VFC or Bridge Access Program OR an existing provider and are migrating to a new EMR service, please click HERE to start the Onboarding Process. We have included links below to our Onboarding Guide and Readiness Checklist.
Onboarding Guide
Readiness Checklist
Bi-Directional
I-CARE Training Videos
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I-CARE Login : How to log into I-CARE and get started
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Patient Module : A comprehensive system for managing patient information related to immunization. It provides tools for adding new patients, searching for patient records, and updating patient information.
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Shots - Add View Edit Delete : How to view, add, edit, and delete shots
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Shots - Immunizations and Contraindications : How to add immunities, contraindications, and adverse events to a patient's profile
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Shots - Overrides and Refusals : How to override a shot and what to do when a patient refuses a shot
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I-CARE Training VFC Tab Overview : A brief overview of the processes and systems within the VFC tab: VFC, Vaccine Requests, Staff, and Enrollment.
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VFC Vaccine Ordering : How to order VFC Vaccines via the VFC tab in I-CARE
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Bad Address Report : How to run a bad address report in I-CARE
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Immunizations Due/Given Reports : How to run the immunizations due and immunizations given reports in I-CARE
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COVID Immunizations Activity/Due Reports : How to run the COVID Immunization Activity report and COVID Immunizations Due report
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Reminder Recall : How to remind patients who are due or overdue for a vaccination to make an appointment with your office
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Patient Immunization History : How to access and understand a patient’s immunization history.
VFC Contacts
VFC Vaccine Manager: Kevin Hansen
Email: chicagovfc@cityofchicago.org
VFC Management Unit Phone: 312-746-5385
Chicago VFC Newsletter- April 2024
View Alert
04/10/2024
IDPH: Illinois Measles Outbreak - School Action Request & IDPH School Vaccination Dashboard
View Alert