Vaccines For Children (VFC)
Giving All Children a Chance to Get Their Recommended Vaccines
The VFC Program is a federal program, directed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) run Illinois' and Chicago's VFC programs.
ICAAP supports the development of materials to support VFC enrollment and annual training.
Explore Resources For:
Resources for
Illinois VFC Providers
Explore the latest updates for the VFC program in Illinois. Learn more on recordkeeping, exchanging data, identifying eligible patients, administering recommended vaccines, and guiding laws and rules for the program below. Contact the IDPH VFC program at DPH.Vaccines@illinois.gov.
Laws & Rules
- Public Act 099-0249 - Religious Exemption Amendment to School Code
- Mercury-Free Vaccine Act
- Mercury-Free Vaccine Act Exemption Declaration (2024)
- Healthcare Employee Vaccination Code
- Illinois Guidelines for Needle Disposal
- VFC Program Manual for Illinois VFC Providers
- New Process for Temporary Off-Site Vaccination Clinics
Resources for
Chicago VFC Providers
Explore below for more information on required program training, patient eligibility, and where to find updates on Chicago's VFC program. Contact CDPH's VFC program at chicagovfc@cityofchicago.org.
VFC COVID-19 Vaccines Now Available for Ordering
2026 VFC Training Dates
Save the date! Registration will be available soon.
- February 25, 2026 - Malcolm X College
- March 11, 2026 - Northeastern Illinois University
- April 8, 2026 - Daley College
- May 21, 2026 - Malcolm X College
2025 VFC Training
April 2025 Measles Updates, Prevention, and Preparedness
August 2025 Infant RSV Immunizations: Updates and Guidance for Chicago Birthing Hospitals and Other Clinics
VFC Eligibility, Enrollment, & Maintenance Resources
The VFC program makes it possible for children across Illinois to receive recommended vaccines at little to no cost. To make participation easier, ICAAP has developed a suite of resources for both clinicians and families. These tools will help you confirm patient eligibility, navigate enrollment, maintain compliance, and connect families to care.
- ICAAP VFC Clinician Decision Tree (2025)
A quick-reference flowchart to determine whether a child qualifies VFC. Designed for use during clinical encounters, this decision tree can help confirm eligibility at the point of care.
- VFC Program Eligibility Guide
Explains who qualifies for VFC, including special scenarios like Medicaid as secondary insurance. Provides documentation tips and links to the IL Pediatric Vaccines Patient Eligibility Screening Record, which should be maintained on file for at least three years.
- ICAAP VFC Enrollment & Maintenance Guide
Step-by-step guide to enrolling in the VFC program and maintaining compliance. Covers site visit requirements, reporting, recertification, and links to the ICAAP VFC Support Portal for peer assistance.
- Find Fellow VFC Providers
Illinois’ official vaccine locator tool. Search for VFC sites by ZIP code.
- I-CARE (Illinois Comprehensive Automated Immunization Registry Exchange)
Illinois’ immunization registry system for ordering, reporting and tracking VFC vaccines.
Extend Your Outreach Online
Share Trusted Vaccine Messaging with Families and Communities
In addition to clinical resources, ICAAP offers a full library of ready-to-use social media toolkits designed to make it easier for pediatricians, public health professional and immunization champions to share trusted vaccine information online.
These toolkits help you:
- Promote the VFC program.
- Encourage timely immunizations with positive, strengths-based messages.
- Combat misinformation by sharing evidence-based content families can trust.
- Save time and effort with downloadable graphics and copy-and-paste captions optimized for every platform.
Instead of piecing together outreach on your own, you can now find all ICAAP’s social campaigns and outreach materials on one dedicated page.
Ask Your Questions about the Vaccines for Children Program
Get Support to Expand Your Practice and Save Lives
Do you have questions about managing the VFC program at your clinic or hospital? Would you like support in enrolling to become a VFC provider? Submit your questions here, and our team will forward your request to one of our clinical peer advisors who will reach out to support you! Together, we can keep all children safe from preventable diseases!
Get VFC Support Today
Become a VFC Provider!
Interested in becoming a VFC provider? Contact ICAAP to assist you with enrollment today! Info@illinoisaap.com