TVFC Program
What is the TVFC Program?
The TVFC program is administered by DSHS and ensures vaccines are available to eligible children at no cost.
Eligible TVFC patients are children 18 years of age and younger who meet one or more of the following eligibility criteria:
- Uninsured
- Underinsured are children who have health insurance but:
- the coverage does not include vaccines;
- only selected vaccines are covered; or
- fixed dollar limit or cap on vaccine coverage.
- Medicaid-enrolled or Medicaid-eligible
- American Indian/Alaskan Native
- Enrolled in Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP)
Benefits of Being a TVFC Provider
Some of the TVFC provider benefits include:
Increasing Access to Vaccine Resources
Providers have access to vaccines and administration supplies. DSHS also offers providers a variety of educational resources on vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases as well as resources to help providers stay up-to-date on best practices.
Access to New or Additional Revenue Streams
Participating providers have reduced administrative out-of-pocket costs, and providers can bill insurance for administrative fees. Additionally, by participating in the TVFC program, providers can reallocate funds to other areas of practice that need help.
Improved Patient Outcomes
Texas has the largest uninsured population in the United States.
Participating in the TVFC program allows new and existing patients access to vaccines when they would have otherwise been forced to go without.
How to Become a TVFC Provider
Becoming a TVFC provider is a straightforward process. Providers must meet certain eligibility requirements and complete the application process.
To become a TVFC provider, please follow these steps:
1. Verify you meet the provider eligibility requirements:
Eligible signing clinicians include:
- Medical Doctor (MD)
- Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- Physician Assistant (PA)
- Registered Pharmacist (RPh)
2. Complete the most current TVFC/SN Provider Policy web-based training course and submit the certificate of completion.
3. Complete Module 10 “Vaccine Storage and Handling” and Module 16 “Vaccines for Children (VFC)” of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) You Call the Shots Training and submit certificates of completion.
4. Complete the Vaccine Allocation and Ordering System (VAOS) Training (see VAOS training resources for educational material).
5. Complete and submit your TVFC/ASN Enrollment.
6. Agree to screen for patient eligibility and maintain screening records.
7. Agree to maintain vaccine safety and inventory.
Vaccines Offered Through TVFC
The TVFC program provides vaccines recommended by the CDC for the routine immunization of children.
In addition, the TVFC program follows the recommendation of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for vaccine schedules. The program works closely with health care providers to ensure access to the vaccines needed to meet the needs of their patients.
The following vaccines and immunizations are currently available to TVFC providers:
- Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, pediatric formula (DT)
- Diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, and acellular pertussis, pediatric formula (DTaP)
- Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis and inactivated poliovirus combination (DTaP-IPV)
- Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, hepatitis B, and inactivated poliovirus combination vaccine (DTaP-HepB-IPV)
- Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, inactivated poliovirus, and Haemophilus influenzae type b combination vaccine (DTaP-IPV/Hib)
- Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, inactivated poliovirus, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and hepatitis B combination vaccine (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HepB)
- Influenza (FLU)
- Hepatitis A/B (Pediatric)
- Hepatitis B (HeP B)
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Inactivated Poliovirus (IPV)
- Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4)
- Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV5)
- Serogroup B meningococcal (MenB)
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella (MMRV)
- MPox
- Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV15)
- Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV20)
- Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV23)
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
- Rotavirus (ROTA)
- Tetanus and diphtheria (Td)
- Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap)
- Varicella (VAR)
TVFC Provider Requirements
Providers who participate in the TVFC program must comply with federal and state program requirements. DSHS provides ongoing education to help ensure providers are aware of program requirements and can incorporate program requirements into their practice.
Most program requirements for TVFC providers relate to:
- Vaccine storage and handling
- Routine reporting
- Routine record-keeping
- Vaccine administration
Providers can email Immunization.Info@dshs.texas.gov to get clarification from DSHS about TVFC program requirements.