The Health Department is an active member of the Let’s Immunize Northern Kentucky Coalition, which was established in June of 2007. The coalition is comprised of more than 20 organizations dedicated to the prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Members are committed to providing complete, up-to-date and reliable information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent for our community and health care professionals.

Mission: Promoting awareness, education and opportunities to protect Northern Kentucky from vaccine-preventable diseases

Immunization requirements

Health care providers, school staff and others can get specific details about Kentucky’s immunization requirements above.

Parents may want these more basic, but latest immunization schedules for children, preteen/teens and adults from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Vaccines for Children

The Vaccines for Children program provides free vaccines to local health departments, clinics and private providers. These vaccines are for children birth through 18 years who meet certain criteria. Learn more below.

More information

For more information on the LINK coalition or vaccinations, please email Shelley Davis at Shelley.Davis@nkyhealth.org.

The Vaccines for Children program provides free vaccines to local health departments, clinics and private providers. These vaccines are for children birth through 18 years who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• On Medicaid or Kentucky Child Health Insurance Program (KCHIP)
• Have no health insurance (uninsured)
• Are American Indian or Alaskan Native
• Have health insurance that does not cover immunizations (these children must get vaccines at a Federally Qualified Health Center, Rural Health Center or the local health department)

Vaccines for Children frequently asked questions below.

Become a provider

Interested in becoming a VFC provider? Contact Shelley Davis at Shelley.Davis@nkyhealth.org or call 859-363-2077.

The Vaccines for Children program provides free vaccines to local health departments, clinics and private providers. These vaccines are for children birth through 18 years.

Some common questions about the program in Northern Kentucky.

Who is eligible to receive VFC vaccine?
All children birth through 18 years of age who are

• On Medicaid or Kentucky Child Health Insurance Program (KCHIP)
• Have no health insurance (uninsured)
• Are American Indian or Alaskan Native
• Have health insurance that does not cover immunizations (these children must get vaccines at a Federally Qualified Health Center, Rural Health Center or the local health department)

Who is considered under-insured?
Children whose health insurance plan does not provide, as a covered medical service, any immunizations or does not cover a specific antigen, such as hepatitis A or meningococcal, or the vaccine benefits are capped at a yearly limit after which there is no vaccine coverage for that year.

If a patient has health insurance but has a large deductible, is the patient eligible for VFC vaccine?
Patients whose insurance policy provides for immunizations as a covered medical service, regardless of deductibles, are considered insured. They are not eligible for publicly funded vaccine.

If a patient has health insurance but has reached their yearly well-care cap, is the patient eligible for VFC vaccine?
Patients whose insurance policy provides for immunizations as a covered medical service are considered insured and are not eligible for publicly funded vaccine. However, if the vaccine cost is capped at a yearly or annual limit after which there is no vaccine coverage for that year, they are considered under-insured. The vaccine cap must be completely depleted to be considered as under-insured.

Which vaccines are provided?
The Kentucky VFC Program provides all current immunizations recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. These include: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, haemophilus influenzae type b, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, varicella, pneumococcal conjugate, influenza, rotavirus, meningococcal and Human Papillomavirus vaccines.

Can I charge my patients an administration fee?
Yes. You may charge an administration fee up to $19.93 per injection. This cap is established for Kentucky by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. If a patient, parent, or guardian is unable to pay the administration fee, you may not deny them the vaccine. If the patient is on Medicaid or KCHIP you may submit claims for the administration fee to the Kentucky Medicaid Program or the KCHIP program.

How will VFC benefit me as a provider?

• Free vaccines for eligible patients
• Keep your patients in their medical home for continuity of care
• Reduce patient out-of-pocket expense
• Ensure timely vaccinations
• No cost to participate
• Medicaid reimbursement for administration costs
• Free immunization assessments
• Free training for staff members
• Regional immunization representative

How do I enroll in the Kentucky VFC program?
Contact Shelley Davis at Shelley.Davis@nkyhealth.org or 859-363-2077.