Childhood Vaccine Program

The Washington State Childhood Vaccine Program provides publicly purchased vaccines to participating providers for all children less than 19 years of age. The program supplies all vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and eliminates or reduces cost barriers to receiving vaccinations.

For more information regarding program guidelines and to find links to our forms, visit the webpages available in the left-hand navigation pane.

Program Benefits

In Washington State, vaccines are purchased by the state using a combination of federal funds from the national Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, state funds from the Health Care Authority (HCA), as well as state assessments from health plans, insurance companies and other payers, paid into the Washington Vaccine Association (WVA), an independent administrator. There are several benefits of a universal vaccine purchasing system:

  • All providers enrolled in the Childhood Vaccine Program receive publicly-supplied vaccine at no cost for all children seen at the practice. Since providers do not need to assume the financial risk, resources, or staff to manage privately purchased vaccines, this boosts physicians' willingness to deliver childhood immunizations.
  • There is no need for practices to keep separate inventory for childhood vaccine stock. This unifies the ordering and delivery of childhood vaccines. A unified system also boosts use of the immunization registry for vaccine monitoring and oversight.
  • Minimal cost is added to the system with the advantage of purchasing vaccine off of the CDC contract at federally-negotiated rates. Full public financing alleviates the burden of prepaying for vaccines – well in advance of actual usage and ability to bill – felt by many providers.
  • By alleviating financing and logistical burdens, the State would hope to maintain, or even increase, immunization rates: a very important public health benefit.

Provider enrollment

We welcome providers interested in enrolling in the program to view our Provider Enrollment webpage for information on program requirements and recommendations. New Enrollments are accepted and processed throughout the year. After initial enrollment, provider agreements are renewed annually through the Washington State Immunization Information System (IIS).

Key contacts and resources

This handy, one-page guide lists key contacts and resources for providers that participate in the Childhood Vaccine Program.

Site visits

All providers enrolled in the Childhood Vaccine Program agree to participate in scheduled compliance site visits, unannounced storage and handling visits, and other educational opportunities associated with the program. Site Visits are conducted by staff members from nine contracted local health jurisdictions. The goal of site visits is to ensure compliance with program requirements and provide training and education in the provider office.

For more information contact us at 1-866-397-0337 or WAChildhoodVaccines@doh.wa.gov.

Provider Map

The provider map can be used to identify providers who received publicly-supplied vaccines through the Childhood Vaccine Program and Adult Vaccine Program. The map is updated twice each year. Contact the provider in advance regarding availability of supply and for more information regarding the policies associated with the practice.

Vaccine Blurb Articles

To subscribe to the Vaccine Blurbs Articles, please email the Vaccine Management team at WAChildhoodVaccines@doh.wa.gov or call us at 360.236.2VAX