Birthing Hospital Enrollment FAQs
Overview
These frequently asked questions address enrollment and VFC requirements for birthing hospitals.
FAQs
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Does each hospital or clinic enroll separately?
Yes. Each hospital or clinic must enroll separately for documentation and inventory accountability purposes.
Do facilities have to provide all recommended vaccines to eligible patients?
No. Facilities are only required to carry vaccines for patient populations served. For birthing hospitals, facilities would only need to offer HepB and monoclonal antibody immunizing products (e.g., nirsevimab).
Once enrolled, can facilities order other vaccines from the VFC formulary?
If the facility wishes to order additional products, be prepared to provide additional information such as population estimates and additional storage units (if a freezer is necessary for the product).
Why enroll? Won’t Medi-Cal reimburse the cost of the drug?
No. It is expected that doses of nisevimab intended for Medi-Cal-eligible babies be administered using VFC doses.
Why must facilities comply with manual temperature logging instead of electronic?
It is a strict CDC requirement that manual temperature logs supplement digital data loggers to ensure staff are checking temperatures twice a day. If a data logger malfunctions, it may not send a notification. VFC understands pharmacists work with vaccine storage units on a 24/7 schedule and offers a fillable version (PDF) for use on electronic devices if that is preferred.
How are allocations awarded?
CDC provides up-front allocations to states based on available supply and eligible VFC populations.
What do hospital audits typically entail?
Audits are performed during compliance visits. The VFC team works closely with all VFC providers to ensure that they are supported. While we do have compliance visits, we always strive to lead with education. Our goal is to keep providers abreast of program requirements and expectations. We are always here as a resource. Our main objective is to keep providers enrolled in the program and offer support from the get-go.
Could we apply local restrictions or are we mandated to administer Beyfortus® to all neonates as soon as they are born?
Enrolled facilities must follow VFC Program guidelines and administer doses to all eligible babies.
Does AeroScout cloud temperature monitoring require a manual temperature log?
Yes, but VFC offers a fillable version (PDF) for use on electronic devices if that is preferred.
Could facilities track the number of VFC-eligible neonates and submit the # at the end of the year?
Hospitals enrolled in VFC through the Vaccine Replacement Model may administer private doses of nirsevimab and submit replacement requests to VFC on a monthly basis.
What happens if VFC stock was incorrectly administered for a non-eligible patient?
VFC will ask the facility to move a dose from the other stock, report it to VFC, and then document the lot number. Proper training on stock labeling needs to occur. Stock separation within the unit and verification steps are strategies used to minimize the potential inadvertent administration of the incorrect stock.
Does VFC comply with the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA)?
VFC purchases vaccines but is not the distributor. DSCSA is not applicable.