The Florida Vaccines for Children Program

Vaccine Distribution

McKesson Specialty - National Vaccine Distributor

In order to improve efficiency and achieve cost savings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases initiated the Vaccine Management Business Improvement Project (VMBIP). The Florida Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program transitioned to the VMBIP, a centralized national vaccine inventory and distribution system, in April 2008. This initiative recommended several changes designed to enhance operating efficiency, improve vaccine inventory visibility, and reduce operating expenses. 

• Through VMBIP, the CDC selected McKesson Specialty as the distributor for publicly purchased vaccines to providers enrolled in the VFC Program. 
• McKesson Specialty is currently shipping vaccines for Florida from Memphis, Tennessee.
• McKesson Specialty will distribute VFC vaccines (with the exception of the varicella-containing vaccines) directly to the provider. 
• Merck & Co. ships varicella-containing vaccine in insulated containers containing dry ice directly to the provider. 
• The Department of Health Central Pharmacy does not distribute VFC vaccines to Florida providers. 

Shipping Vaccines

After the VFC Program process and approve the provider's vaccine order, McKesson Specialty will process and ship their vaccine orders within 5 to 10 business days via commercial carrier. 

• Although FedEx is their primary carrier, they may also use alternative carriers such as UPS when vaccine delivery through FedEx is not possible.
• With the June 22, 2009 implementation of the new shipping container, providers no longer return empty containers to McKesson Specialty Distribution. These new shipping containers do not have pre-printed return address labels.
  
• These containers are recyclable.  Recycle them through local recycling programs.  Do not return them to McKesson Specialty.
• We recommend providers keep 1 to 2 empty containers on hand to use for any vaccine returns.
• To ensure that each container maintains the appropriate vaccine temperatures during shipment, McKesson will include easy-to-read temperature monitors, as well as a vaccine shipment packing slip outlining the vaccines received in the shipment.

Vaccine Deliveries/Temperature Monitor Indicators Instructions

McKesson Specialty will carefully review orders with special handling instructions or limited delivery times to ensure they deliver the vaccines within the specified window of time (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). 

The "3M MonitorMark™" Time Temperature Indicator and the "ColdMark™" Freezer Indicator are included in all vaccine shipments.  These monitor indicators consistently and accurately assess the exposure to temperature variants during the shipping process.  Each monitor will be attached to a card that provides the recipient instructions as to how to read the monitor. 

Shipping containers are clearly marked "perishable" in order to alert clinic staff to refrigerate contents immediately upon arrival.  In all cases, the recipient is instructed to do the following within 2 hours of shipment receipt:

1. Providers should train front desk staff signing for the receipt of the vaccine shipment to alert the clinic's vaccine manager as soon as the vaccine arrives.
2. Remove the indicator from the shipment container.
3. Refrigerate vaccines at 35° and 46°F (2° and 8°C). 
4. After storing vaccines as instructed, recipients will read each of the indicators and verify that the temperature monitors have maintained the cold chain. 
5. If the monitor does not read "OK", contact the McKesson Specialty Vaccine-viability Telephone Number at (877) 836-7123 immediately and speak to a representative. Do not leave any voice messages.
6. Never reject vaccine delivery or discard vaccine shipments without prior consultation with the VFC Program.

Procedure to Return Unserviceable Vaccine

McKesson Specialty Distribution accepts the return of all publicly purchased nonviable (wasted or expired) vaccine from providers, which also includes influenza vaccine and direct-ship vaccines, and arranges for return of nonviable vaccine to McKesson Specialty Distribution at no cost to the provider.

• Under no circumstances should providers return used syringes (with or without needles); open vials; broken vials; wasted products such as a syringe that was drawn up but not used; any multidose vial from which providers have withdrawn doses or expired diluent. These products are not available for federal excise tax credit and should be disposed properly by the provider, and documented on the Vaccine Return and Waste Form.
• Fax a copy of the Vaccine Return and Waste Form to the VFC Program at (850) 245-4734.
• Include a copy of the Vaccine Return and Waste Form with all expired or unserviceable vaccines in the container.  Write "EXPIRED VACCINES" on the box.
• Contact your VFC Program representative at (800) 483-2543 to request a postage-paid shipping label. 

Tips for ordering VFC Vaccines

• Ensure your VFC Report Form is accurately and completely filled out.
• Account for all doses of VFC vaccines used since your last ordering period. 
• Please do not include private vaccines in your inventory.
• Refer to your last vaccine order when compiling information for your new order.
• Notify VFC of any address change, delivery times or office hours to ensure your vaccine shipment is sent to the correct address or delivered at the appropriate times.
• Ensure that you have sufficient inventory on hand at the time you place your vaccine order.
• Remember to order in multiples of 10 doses (NOT boxes).
• As your vaccine arrives, verify that your vaccine packing slip contains a listing of all vaccines received.  Providers may receive large vaccine shipments in multiple deliveries within the same day or next day.
• If you encounter any problem with your vaccine shipment, please contact a VFC Program representative immediately at (800) 483-2543.

For any questions, contact a VFC Program representative at (800) 483-2543.