The Topsy Turvy World of Vaccines In 1993, after a failed attempt at health care reform, the Clinton administration passed the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, a federally funded program that provides vaccines for uninsured and low income children at no cost to participating medical facilities. In a way, this program was a consolation prize for legislators who had to give up a much bigger vision for health care, and within its scope of action, the program has been a success. The support it has provided for clinics and private offices struggling under the burden of vaccine overhead has been invaluable. The way the program works is that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) buys vaccines at a discount, and distributes them to public health agencies who in turn give the vaccine to local clinics or private practices for distribution. The nurses and public health officials involved in the program are passionate about children’s health, and the program is run in a way that is helpful
Thoughts on health care reform and other local occurences