Celebrating 30 Years of Saving Lives through the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC)

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a perfect time to reflect on the strides we’ve made in protecting our children’s health and to celebrate a monumental milestone in public health: the 30th anniversary of the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.

A Legacy of Lifesaving Impact

Signed into law as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, the Vaccines for Children program was designed to remove cost as a barrier to immunization, ensuring that no child is denied the vaccines they need due to financial constraints. Three decades later, we can proudly say that the VFC program has made a profound difference.

The VFC program has provided millions of doses of vaccines to children across the United States, saving lives and preventing countless illnesses. Since its inception, it is estimated that routine childhood vaccines given in the U.S. will prevent over one million deaths, 508 million illnesses, and 32 million hospitalizations over the course of the lifetimes of the children who have received vaccines. The societal costs of routine childhood immunization across 30 cohorts of children amount to $268 billion, while the resulting societal savings total $2.9 trillion. Childhood immunizations continue to provide substantial health and economic benefits while promoting health equity.

A Milestone Achieved Through Grassroots Advocacy

Vaccinate Your Family (VYF) is particularly proud of its foundational role in the creation of the VFC program. Our co-founders Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and Former First Lady of Arkansas Betty Bumpers were instrumental in advocating for childhood vaccinations and played a significant part in encouraging the Clinton Administration to prioritize this crucial issue. In fact, Bill Clinton, during a dedication speech for the Dale and Betty Bumpers NIH Vaccine Research Center stated: “More than 25 years ago, Betty Bumpers was the first person to open my eyes to the fact that though many vaccines had been discovered, approved and marketed, too few children in our state, then, and across America, were being immunized. As the First Lady of our state, she visited every community and every school, talking to parents and teachers about the necessity of immunizing their children. In fact, Betty became so identified with the immunization cause that people used to joke that every time she walked into a school, the kids would start to cry. (Laughter.) They knew that when she came in, somebody was going to have to get a shot.” Their efforts led to the establishment of a vaccine program that has become a model of healthcare access across the nation.

In the early 1990s, following the founding of the organization (which was then known as Every Child By Two), our co-founders embarked on a national journey to promote vaccination efforts. They traveled to all 50 states, building immunization coalitions and fostering a widespread commitment to improving vaccine access. This grassroots advocacy was critical in shaping the VFC program and advancing our mission to ensure that every child has access to life-saving vaccines.

How the VFC Program Works

The VFC program provides free vaccines to children who are Medicaid eligible, uninsured, underinsured, or American Indian or Alaskan Native. It covers all vaccines recommended by the CDC for babies, young children, and adolescents, protecting them from 19 dangerous diseases.

To access these free vaccines, families need to find a participating health clinic or provider. With over 37,000 VFC providers across the country, many healthcare providers are already enrolled in the program. Families can find a VFC provider through their state or local health department or a federally-qualified health center (FQHC).

For more information:

• Find a VFC Provider: CDC Health Department Directories
• Find a Local FQHC: HRSA Health Center Locator

Celebrating National Immunization Awareness Month

August is a time to raise awareness about the importance of immunization and to celebrate the programs that have made a difference in public health. The VFC program’s 30th anniversary is a testament to the power of advocacy, policy change, and community collaboration – and serves as a model for how we can continue to push for improvements in access to lifesaving medical resources including vaccines.

As we mark this significant milestone, let’s also recognize the ongoing efforts of public health professionals, healthcare providers, advocates, and families who contribute to the success of the VFC program. Their dedication ensures that children continue to receive the vaccines they need to stay healthy and safe.

Join Us in the Celebration

We encourage everyone to join in the celebration of National Immunization Awareness Month by learning more about the VFC program and sharing reminders for routine immunization using our #FirstDayVax Campaign toolkit. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, a parent, or a community advocate, your role is crucial in maintaining and enhancing our public health efforts.

Together, we can continue to protect our children and ensure a healthier future for all. Here’s to 30 years of progress, and to many more years of saving lives through the power of vaccination!