Can a private provider refuse to administer VFC vaccine to VFC-eligible child?
Section 1928 (c)(2)(C)(iii) of the Social Security Act states, “The provider will not deny administration of a qualified pediatric vaccine to a vaccine-eligible child due to the inability of the child’s parents to pay an administration fee.” The statute further notes at Section 1928(c)(2)(C)(i) that “A program-registered provider is not required under this section to administer such a vaccine to each child for whom an immunization with the vaccine is sought from the provider.” CDC interprets this to mean that private VFC providers, unless otherwise required by another statute, do not have to honor vaccine requests by VFC-eligible children who “walk in” for immunizations only and are not established patients in the practice.
Related Questions
- If a provider gives private-purchase vaccine to a child and later finds out the child was eligible for VFC vaccine (for example, because they are underinsured), what happens then?
- Can a private provider refuse to administer VFC vaccine to VFC-eligible child?
- Can a provider refuse to administer VFC vaccine to VFC-eligible child?
