Are Immunization Programs Primary Health Care? Provider Enrollment in the PA VFC Program

Immunization programs stand as a cornerstone of primary health care, playing a pivotal role in disease prevention and community well-being. By proactively safeguarding against vaccine-preventable diseases, these programs not only protect individuals but also significantly reduce the burden on healthcare systems. In Pennsylvania, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program exemplifies this commitment, ensuring that eligible children receive recommended vaccinations, a critical aspect of primary health care.

For healthcare providers in Pennsylvania keen on becoming a VFC provider, integrating immunization services into their primary care offerings, it’s essential to understand the enrollment process. This initiative allows providers to directly contribute to public health by administering vital vaccines to children who might otherwise face barriers to access.

To begin your journey as a Pennsylvania Immunizations Program VFC provider, it’s crucial to review the Provider Policies. Following this, you’ll need to complete the Pennsylvania Immunization Program Policy Acknowledgment Form and Provider Agreement. It is important to note that the 2024 re-enrollment process is exclusively managed through PIERS (Pennsylvania Immunization Electronic Registry System), and a reactivation application is not required for re-enrollment in 2024.

A helpful reference document, the PDF of the Pennsylvania Immunization Program Provider Agreement, is available to guide you through the electronic application form. All applications must be submitted electronically to ensure efficient processing.

Eligibility for Specialty Care Providers

While the VFC program aims to broaden immunization access, specialty care providers, including pharmacists and urgent care centers, must meet specific need-based criteria to be eligible for the PA VFC Program. These criteria ensure that the program effectively addresses gaps in primary health care and immunization coverage. Eligibility is extended to providers who:

• Are located in or serve a Health Professional Shortage Area for Primary Care, directly addressing primary health care access disparities.
• Are situated in or capable of serving a Medically Underserved Area, focusing on communities with limited primary healthcare services.
• Operate in or can serve a geographic area lacking sufficient VFC coverage, defined as areas without other VFC providers within a 15-minute travel radius. This ensures broader primary healthcare service availability.
• Have established or are developing partnerships with facilities serving VFC-eligible children and youth to conduct on-site vaccine clinics. Qualifying partners include schools, youth detention centers, residential treatment centers, and programs for medically complex children and youth, extending primary health care reach within these settings.

For any queries or if you require further clarification regarding your eligibility or the application process, the PA Immunization Program can be reached at the Vaccines for Children Resource Account: [email protected].

It is important to remember that pharmacists, urgent care centers, and school-located vaccination clinics participating in the VFC program are required to vaccinate all “walk-in” VFC-eligible children, alongside fulfilling all general VFC program requirements. This commitment ensures that immunization programs function effectively as a crucial component of primary health care, readily accessible to all eligible children.

Preparing for the Enrollment Process

To efficiently complete the Pennsylvania Immunization Program Policy Acknowledgment Form and Provider Agreement, providers should gather the following information:

1. Policy Review: The Medical Director, Primary, and Backup coordinator should thoroughly review the Pennsylvania Immunization Program Provider Policies. Understanding these policies is fundamental to delivering effective primary health care through immunization programs.

2. Training Modules: Both the Primary and Backup coordinators must complete the 2024 You Call the Shots Modules 10 and 16 training modules. Saving the training certificates as PDFs (four in total) is necessary for uploading with your application. These modules are crucial for ensuring providers are well-versed in best practices for vaccine administration, a key aspect of quality primary health care.

3. DDL Calibration Certificates: Provide current certificates of calibration for all Digital Data Loggers (DDLs), including at least one backup DDL, saved as PDFs. Proper vaccine storage and handling are vital components of a successful immunization program and primary health care service.

4. Patient Population Data: Detailed current patient population data, categorized into the following age groups and further broken down by insurance status, is required. This data is essential for program planning and ensuring equitable access to primary health care services. The categories are:

   a. Total patient population under age one (both private and VFC-eligible)

   • Number of patients under age one receiving medical assistance
   • Number of patients under age one uninsured
   • Number of patients under age one underinsured
   • Number of patients under age one who are American Indian or Native Alaskan

   b. Total patient population ages one through six (both private and VFC-eligible)

   • Number of patients ages one through six receiving medical assistance
   • Number of patients ages one through six uninsured
   • Number of patients ages one through six underinsured
   • Number of patients ages one through six who are American Indian or Native Alaskan

   c. Total patient population ages seven through 18 (both private and VFC-eligible)

   • Number of patients ages seven through 18 receiving medical assistance
   • Number of patients ages seven through 18 uninsured
   • Number of patients ages seven through 18 underinsured
   • Number of patients ages seven through 18 who are American Indian or Native Alaskan

   d. Total patient population age 19 and older (both private and VFC-eligible)

   • Number of patients age 19 and older receiving medical assistance
   • Number of patients age 19 and older uninsured
   • Number of patients age 19 and older underinsured
   • Number of patients age 19 and older who are American Indian or Native Alaskan

   It is important to ensure that the sum of patients in each age group by insurance type is less than the total patient population for that age group, as the total includes private patients as well.

For further clarification, the New Enrollment Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document provides additional guidance.

Accessing the Pennsylvania Immunization Electronic Registry System (PIERS)

All vaccine ordering within the PA Immunization Program is managed through the Pennsylvania Immunization Electronic Registry System (PIERS). To gain access to PIERS, each user must create a PA TRAIN account and complete the Pennsylvania Immunization Electronic Registry System (PIERS) User Training. Efficient vaccine management through PIERS is integral to the smooth operation of immunization programs as primary health care services.

PIERS Business Partner registration is also required for each individual needing system access. Registration can be completed at the designated site.

For PIERS account questions and login issues, please contact [email protected]. For all other PIERS-related inquiries, reach out to [email protected].

Essential Resources for Providers

To ensure providers are well-equipped, the PA Immunization Program offers key resources:

PA Immunization Program Provider Policies

You Call the Shots-Module Sixteen-Vaccines for Children Program – Required for primary and back-up VFC vaccine coordinators, both for new hires and annually before re-enrollment. This training underscores the importance of specialized knowledge in delivering immunization programs as primary health care.

You Call the Shots-Module Ten-Storage and Handling – Also mandatory for primary and back-up VFC vaccine coordinators, for new hires and annual re-enrollment, emphasizing the critical nature of proper vaccine handling in primary health care settings.

The CDC TRAIN homepage​ is the central portal for creating and accessing training accounts and courses, essential for ongoing professional development in primary health care and immunization practices.

Vaccine Manufacturers Information

[Questions?]

For any questions or assistance, please contact the VFC Program at 1-888-646-6864 or via email at [email protected]. The PA Immunization Program is dedicated to supporting providers in their crucial role in delivering immunization programs as primary health care.