ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — As families across North Carolina prepare for summer camps and back-to-school requirements, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services is helping eligible families more easily find free childhood vaccines through the Vaccines for Children program with the launch of a provider map.
The Vaccines for Children program offers free vaccines to eligible children and teens, including all immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as those required for child care and school attendance in North Carolina. The program can save families hundreds of dollars per child in vaccine costs.
To improve access, NCDHHS has launched an interactive map available in English and Spanish.
The map allows families and community health workers to search for VFC providers by city or ZIP code and connect directly with locations offering free vaccines.
In addition to the map, the VFC website also allows families to:
- Check eligibility for free vaccines
- Access clear, up-to-date information on required and recommended vaccines
- Find answers to common questions about vaccine safety and more
“Vaccines protect what matters most — your child’s health,” NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai in a news release. “We know parents want to make the best choices for their children and encourage them to talk to their child’s doctor if they have questions. As we continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our youngest North Carolinians, vaccines remain one of the most powerful tools we have to protect children from serious, preventable diseases.”