Immunization Branch
immunization home | previous page

FAQs for Providers (School & Child-care)

Back to Child-care & Pre-K Requirements page
Back to School Requirements homepage

FAQs for Providers

1. Who is eligible for state-supplied hepatitis A vaccine?
Effective August 1, 2005, hepatitis A vaccine will be routinely recommended for all children in Texas 2 years through 18 years of age.

2. When do I need to order Hepatitis A vaccine?
Beginning with July 2005's vaccine orders, providers in all Texas counties may order hepatitis A vaccine through the TVFC. During the month of August, special emphasis should be given to children who attend child-care facilities and pre-kindergarten programs.

3. How do I order Hepatitis A vaccine?
To request state supplied Hepatitis A vaccine, write in Hepatitis A on the Biological Order Form (C-68) and submit your order as usual.

4. How much vaccine should I order?
Order vaccine based on your TVFC patients that are 2 years – 18years of age, with special emphasis on children who attend child-care facilities and pre-kindergarten programs.

5. Who is eligible for state-supplied Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV7) vaccine?
Currently, only federal VFC-eligible children may receive PCV7 through the TVFC; underinsured children must be referred to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) or Rural Health Clinics (RHC) to receive this vaccine. Effective August 1, 2005, all TVFC-eligible children who are two months through 59 months of age and who attend childcare or pre-kindergarten programs may receive PCV7 from any provider participating in the TVFC and do not need to be referred to a FQHC or RHC. All TVFC physicians who serve children attending daycare facilities should assess their needs and include the PCV7 vaccine in their July orders in preparation for the childcare and pre-kindergarten requirements.

Effective September 1, 2005, the eligibility system for PCV7 will be simplified and all underinsured children statewide who are two months through 59 months of age may begin receiving PCV7 at any clinic enrolled in the TVFC. Underinsured children will no longer need to be referred to a FQHC or RHC for this vaccine.

6. Where can I find information on dosing and scheduling of PCV7?
Please see PCV7 Chart

7. Do I need to order Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPV23)?
In most instances no, PPV23 is only for a select group of high-risk children. For additional information about PPV23 and PCV7 refer to the CDC report at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00047135.htm

Back to Child-care & Pre-K Requirements page
Back to School Requirements homepage