November 22, 2024  | In a significant move for children’s healthcare, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D., introduced a bipartisan bill on November 22, 2024, designed to strengthen the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. Aptly titled the Strengthening the Vaccines for Children Program Act, this legislation aims to enhance pediatric vaccine delivery by reducing barriers to care, supporting primary care providers, and helping families catch up on vital routine immunizations.

Why the VFC Program Matters

Established in 1994, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program has been instrumental in ensuring children from low-income families have access to free vaccines. According to Congresswoman Schrier, the VFC program has helped prevent approximately 508 million illnesses and 1.3 million deaths, saving nearly $2.7 trillion in societal costs over its lifetime. These impressive statistics highlight the program’s critical role in protecting children—and the broader community—from preventable diseases.

The Strengthening the Vaccines for Children Program Act proposes several measures to expand and improve vaccine coverage:

  1. Improve patient access and care by expanding VFC eligibility to cover more children at more locations
  2. Incentivize provider participation in the program and alleviate operational burdens
  3. Expand vaccine counseling and education reimbursement to combat vaccine hesitancy.
  4. Track immunizations to better understand disparities and find pockets of under-vaccination

This legislation has garnered broad support, including endorsements from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)—two of the most influential organizations in children’s healthcare.

Why VFC Matters for Pediatric Providers and Families

Expanding vaccine access and incentivizing participation has the potential to profoundly impact both healthcare providers and the families they serve. By broadening the pool of eligible children, more families can get their children immunized without worrying about prohibitive costs. For pediatricians and family practices—often the first line of defense against childhood illnesses—this means they can consistently stock the full range of recommended vaccines, ensuring that every child, from infancy through adolescence, has uninterrupted access to essential immunizations. Additionally, streamlined administrative support and financial incentives alleviate the burden on providers, allowing them to focus on direct patient care rather than paperwork or reimbursement uncertainties. This holistic approach not only ensures individual children remain on track with their immunization schedules, but it also plays a crucial role in safeguarding entire communities by reducing the spread of preventable diseases. Ultimately, these enhancements strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, build trust in the healthcare system, and empower families to prioritize routine vaccinations—an investment that pays off in healthier lives for today’s children and future generations alike.

How TruMed Systems Supports Vaccine Management

TruMed Systems’ VFC compliance solution streamlines vaccine management from end to end, ensuring providers meet regulatory requirements with ease. Advanced temperature monitoring, accurate inventory tracking, and automated reporting tools help maintain vaccine efficacy and minimize manual processes, allowing healthcare teams to focus on patient care while staying compliant with VFC guidelines.

VFC compliance, simplified.

AccuVax handles all aspects of VFC compliance by ensuring proper storage, monitoring temperatures, and maintaining inventory and ordering in a manner that meets or exceeds VFC vaccine storage and management guidelines.

AccuVax automates 7 of the 10 VFC Activities

  • Vaccine temperature monitoring
  • Vaccine storage & handling plans
  • Vaccine storage equipment
  • Vaccine storage practices
  • Vaccine security & equipment maintenance
  • Vaccine ordering & inventory management
  • Vaccine waste

Interested in learning more about TruMed Systems’ comprehensive vaccine management solutions? Contact us today for more information on how we can help streamline your practice’s immunization program.

Vaccine Storage

AccuVax: The all-in-one automated fridge and freezer solution designed to safeguard your vaccine inventory.

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AccuShelf: Manage your entire inventory with one solution, for medications, vaccines, and supplies.

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Automate 7 of the 10 required VFC activities.

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Eliminate more than 91% of common vaccine errors.

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Vaccine Storage

AccuVax: Safeguard your vaccines and automate compliance with a purpose-built fridge and freezer solution that guarantees temperature control.

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Inventory Management

AccuShelf: Manage your entire inventory efficiently and effectively with an easy-to-use solution for all medications, vaccines, PPEs, and supplies.

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AccuSite: Leverage real-time inventory analytics to effectively manage your inventory across all locations with a cloud-based inventory management solution.

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