Vaccines for Children - HAN
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Overview
Please refer to this flyer or 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:
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Medicaid eligible
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Uninsured
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American Indian or Alaska Native
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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
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?
- 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 2023 Re-enrollment please follow the PDF guidance attached here.
Looking to register for the annual required VFC Regional Meetings?
- The Chicago VFC Regional Meeting webinars will be available in a virtual webinar format this year in June.
- More detail is forthcoming. Please direct any questions to chicagovfc@cityofchicago.org.
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.
2021 VFC News Bulletins
VFC Program
VFC400 Digital Data Loggers (DDL's) And VTMC Cloud
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
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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
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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
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How to report a communicable disease in your clinic (reporting flyer)
Day-To-Day Provider References
Interacting with Parents
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CDC Provider Resources for Vaccine Conversations with Parents
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6 Reasons to Get the HPV Vaccine for Your Child (infographic)
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5 Reasons Why the HPV Vaccination is Recommended for Pre-Teens Flyer (infographic)
For Your Clinic
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Vaccine Information Statements (VIS's)
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Free behavioral health assistance: Illinois Doc Assist
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Infographic: Screening Won’t Protect Your Patients from Most HPV Cancers
Measles
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More information on measles can be found here
Data Quality Reviews and Onboarding
If you are new provider to our VFC program, you can start the HL7 Onboarding Process by clicking HERE and welcome aboard!
I-CARE Training Videos
VFC Contacts
VFC Vaccine Manager:  Kevin Hansen
Email:  chicagovfc@cityofchicago.org
VFC Management Unit Phone:  312-746-5385