Open Forum

Open Forum

 Our medical offices are in the state of Maryland and we have five VFC offices. Yesterday we received notification that VFC will continue to follow ACIP guidance and that they are awaiting on CDC clarification. In the meanwhile, the Maryland Department of Health sent a September 19th letter that they are recommending that providers follow the APP and AAFP guidance on vaccination against COVID-19, Flu, and RSV. Since the VFC is federally funded and private will likely be state driven we are concerned about having two sets of vaccination standards in our offices. One for the VFC patients and one for private. We are concerned about vaccine errors, billing, and patient quality care. Are there other offices in different states that are experiencing the same issues and how are they addressing the differences with recommendations to their providers and their patients? Do your offices operate with two recommendations? Any information would be useful. Thank you in advance.

------------------------------
Holly Davis BSN, RN, AMB-BC
Clinical Quality Coordinator
Frederick Health Medical Group
New Windsor MD
------------------------------

Hi Holly,

Look into your state's VFC requirements. In North Carolina, ours are very specific in that if we are a VFC site, we cannot offer vaccines to private patients that are not available to VFC-eligible patients. We took that to mean that we cannot offer the vaccines that are not part of the program as it gives privately insured patients an advantage over uninsured. This may also be heightened as we are an FQHC. If you have a RIC or RIN assigned to your area for VFC, I might reach out to them for their guidance on interpretation of this requirement. 

All that being said, we were concerned about having multiple protocols, so we gathered information on community resources for our patients and give the education on where they can seek other vaccines if they desire them. That way, we only have 1 set of vaccine standards, but we can still guide our patients in shared decision making. 

------------------------------
Torie Bonnet MSN RN NE-BC NPD-BC
Associate Director of Nursing
Piedmont Health
Raleigh NC

bonnett@piedmonthealth.org
------------------------------

Hi Holly,

My Virginia based organization made the decision to wait for the CDC's response to the ACIP recommendations before offering the Covid vaccine to children 6m-11y.  We plan to stay in line with the VFC.

Thanks,

------------------------------
Dedria Sowder, MSN-Ed, RN, AMB-BC, CPN
Leadership SIG Past Chair
Clinical Educator, Carilion Clinic
Roanoke Virginia
540-314-3028
------------------------------

Hi Holly,

We do maintain two sets of standards as the majority of our sites do not participate with VFC, and a few provide both VFC and private. It is definitely challenging and requires a tight relationship with our pharmacy team. We developed a color-coded quick reference for both options that are posted within the clinics, and staff are trained on them, which has helped team member confidence/accuracy.

------------------------------
Emma Alonso RN, MSN, CNL
USFTGP Physician Services Educator
emmaclarke@usftgp.org
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-24-2025 08:44
From: Dedria Sowder
Subject: How are offices addressing differences between VFC vaccine admin and private admin

Hi Holly,

My Virginia based organization made the decision to wait for the CDC's response to the ACIP recommendations before offering the Covid vaccine to children 6m-11y.  We plan to stay in line with the VFC.

Thanks,

------------------------------
Dedria Sowder, MSN-Ed, RN, AMB-BC, CPN
Leadership SIG Past Chair
Clinical Educator, Carilion Clinic
Roanoke Virginia
540-314-3028
------------------------------