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July 29, 2009

CDHD Holds Back-to-School Immunization Clinics for Insured Children

The changes to the state’s Vaccine for Children (VFC) program instituted July 1, 2009 are presenting challenges to some parents as a new school year approaches. Children are required to be up-to-date on their immunizations before attending school, but some medical providers are no longer offering immunizations to their insured patients because of the complications of maintaining separate inventories of vaccine for insured and VFC-eligible children. In response, the Central District Health Department (CDHD) is offering a series of special ‘Back-to-School’ Immunization Clinics designed to assist the parents of insured children in getting their kids ready for school.

CDHD Back-to-School clinics for children 4 – 18 years of age will be by appointment only and will be held on the following days, locations and times. Parents must bring all immunizations records to the appointments.

CDHD Boise office – 707 N Armstrong Place. Call 327-7450 for appointments.

August 10, 8 am – 5 pm	August 11, 8 am – 5 pm
August 12, 11 am – 7 pm	August 19, 11 am – 7 pm
August 20, 8 am – 5 pm	August 21, 8 am – 4 pm

CDHD Mountain Home office – 8th Street N. Call 587-4407 for appointments.

August 13, 11 am – 7 pm

August 18, 11 am – 7 pm

CDHD McCall office – 703 North 1st. Call 630-8002 for appointments.

August 27, 8 am – 12 noon

September 2, 11 am – 7 pm

As of July 1, 2009 state supplied vaccines can only be administered to children ages 0 – 18 years who meet one of the following criteria:

1. Children on Medicaid
2. American Indian/Alaskan Native
3. No health insurance
4. Underinsured – includes a child whose health insurance
• Does not cover vaccines,
• Only covers certain vaccines (the child is VFC eligible for only non-covered vaccines, and/or
• Caps at a certain amount (once that coverage amount is reached, the child is eligible for VFC vaccine).

Underinsured children may only be vaccinated with state-supplied vaccine at a Federally Qualified Health Care Center, a Rural Health Clinic, or a delegated facility (office must have a signed delegation or authority on file with the Idaho Immunization Program).

Deductible amounts do not have any influence on VFC eligibility.

Families with insurance are now required to pay insurance deductibles and co-pays for their children’s vaccines.

Those families whose children meet the criteria for VFC vaccine are urged to seek vaccination services with their medical home. CDHD will provide immunizations services to all children regardless of their families’ insurance status. CDHD will bill insurance companies on behalf of clients and then work with families if there is an outstanding balance remaining.

Family Medicine Residency of Idaho will also accept all children regardless of insurance status. Contact them at 367-6030.