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?
- To maintain your involvement in the VFC program and to continue to receive VFC vaccines, CDPH requires all clinics to re-enroll every two years.
- For 2025-2026 re-enrollment, there are a few changes. The only required document to submit via I-CARE will be the signed Provider Agreement for 2025-2026. Provider sites are still required to upload annual staff training certifications, along with the up-to-date data logger certificates.
- 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).
- For step by step guidance on how to complete the 2025 re-enrollment, please follow the PDF guidance here.
- This year the re-enrollment period is open from March 1, 2025 to April 15, 2025. Please get started as soon as possible!
CHIP Vaccine Information
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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.
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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)
- 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
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
- VFC & I-Care Training Webinar
- Click here to register for our next training scheduled for July 16, 2025.
- There are future webinars to attend if you cannot attend the one above:
- Register here for the August 20, 2025 webinar
- Register here for the September 17, 2025 webinar
- Open Office Hours
- Click here to register for July's Open Office Hour: Reminder Recall - July 23, 2025
- Click here to register for August's Open Office Hour: IQIP - August 27, 2025
- Webinar: Perspectives on Vaccine Hesitancy
- MMR Reminder Recall Training PDF
- FLU/COVID Reminder Recall Training
Immunization Resources
COVID-19
How-To's
How to report a communicable disease in your clinic (reporting flyer)
Day-To-Day Provider References
Interacting with Parents
- Immunization schedule handouts for parents
- HPV is Cancer Prevention
- HPV Vaccine Q&A
CDC Provider Resources for Vaccine Conversations with Parents
For Your Clinic
- How Vaccines Strengthen Your Baby's Immune System
Vaccine Information Statements (VIS's)
Infographic: Screening Won’t Protect Your Patients from Most HPV Cancers
Measles
More information on measles can be found here
HL7 Onboarding & 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
CDC Updated HL7 Vaccine CVX/MVX and NDC Codes
How to Run and Review the HL7 Error Logs
Provider Report Cards:
We’re excited to announce Data Quality Report Cards! This an initiative designed to improve the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the data reported to the state of Illinois I-CARE Immunization registry. Provider report cards will be sent out to targeted providers on a quarterly basis after our July 2025 program pilot. Provider report cards will help us engage with any sights who may drop below the minimum reporting requirements. Report Cards will also help us celebrate provider sites with high data quality metrics.
Here are some resources we put together to help providers navigate report cards:
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.
How to edit Temperatures in I-CARE: How to add temperatures in I-CARE prior to ordering vaccine. -
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
- Patient Immunization History : How to access and understand a patient’s immunization history.
- I-CARE: Vaccine Information Systems: How to update and download vaccine information sheets produced by the CDC
- I-CARE: Quick Assist tab: How to navigate and use the Quick Assist tab for resources
- I-CARE: Bad Address: How to identify and update patient’s bad address(es)
VFC Contacts
VFC Program Manager: Victor Santiago
Email: chicagovfc@cityofchicago.org
VFC Management Unit Phone: 312-746-5385
