AHCCCS has requested we forward this important information from the
Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
to our provider network concerning the Vaccine for Children (VFC) program.
The Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AzAAP) works to support our members across Arizona and assist in the important work you do every day. Many of you are current Vaccines for Children (VFC) providers and provide this critical service to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay. AzAAP works closely with the Arizona Department of Health Services Immunization Program Office that administers the Arizona VFC program, and we are committed to working together to ensure that Arizona children are vaccinated.
Recently, all Arizona VFC providers received a report card from the ADHS Immunization Program Office regarding the percentage of 2019 wastage of VFC vaccine in their practice and the need for dose for dose replacement if the practice had a 5% or higher wastage rate. AzAAP, our recently convened VFC Provider Committee, and the ADHS Immunization Program Office want to ensure that AzAAP members are aware of the opportunity that all VFC providers have to
request an exception from the dose for dose replacement
.
Any Arizona VFC provider who believes that their 5% or higher vaccine wastage was due to a circumstance that was out of their control should
complete the
attached exception form
and submit it to the Immunization Program Office for consideration by February 28, 2020
. The office
will consider exceptions for circumstances that were outside of the provider's control that prohibited them from following the guidelines in the VFC Operations Guide and their signed provider agreement.
AzAAP strongly encourages our members
to consider completing and
submitting an exception form
if you believe this applies to your practice and you may be eligible to be excused from the dose for dose replacement.
AzAAP also encourages all VFC providers to connect with the Immunization Program Office to open a line of communication and to express your intent to submit an exception form. This essential, initial step will help create the cooperative and collaborative partnership that our members are looking for within the VFC program. The Immunization Program Office and the VFC program does not want to lose providers and will work diligently with you to create a plan going forward. A lack of communication, however, will hinder any ability to rectify the situation in a productive or timely manner in the future. AzAAP wants to ensure that our members are having the best provider experience possible through this program, and we are happy to assist in facilitating these conversations at our members' request.
If you have questions regarding the exception form or specifics of your provider agreement, please contact the Immunization Program Office directly at 602-364-3630.
If you have questions regarding AzAAP, our partnership with the Immunization Program Office, or our VFC Provider Committee, please contact AzAAP at
leadership@azaap.org.
AzAAP will continue to work on behalf of our members to improve the health of Arizona children and support the pediatric professionals who care for them. We thank you for participation in the VFC program and your dedication to ensuring that every child in Arizona is immunized from vaccine preventable diseases.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you and appreciate your continued assistance, support and cooperation!
