PEDIATRIC COVID-19 2025-2026

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) awards contracts to the manufacturers of pediatric vaccines for the purchase of standard commercial pediatric vaccines. CDC seeks to award contracts for all U.S-licensed or authorized COVID-19 brands with a pediatric indication. Vaccines are one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent disease and reduce healthcare costs.

The Vaccine for Children (VFC) program, established pursuant to Section 13631 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (OBRA ’93), guarantees federal support for the purchase and supply of sufficient quantities of vaccine to the States to cover a defined group of children. The program helps assure the implementation of effective immunization practices and proper use of vaccines to achieve higher immunization coverage.

Children (18 years-of-age or younger) who qualify for immunization through the VFC purchase program include those who are (1) Medicaid-eligible, (2) without health insurance, (3) American Indian/Alaska native (as defined in Subsection (h)(3) of the OBRA ’93), or (4) children with health insurance, which does not cover the cost of vaccines, if they receive their immunizations at a Federally-qualified health center or rural health clinic (as defined by the Social Security Act).

Health care providers who agree to certain requirements are eligible through the States to receive free vaccine through this VFC purchase program. The establishment of these contracts provides an opportunity to utilize VFC funds and Section 317 vaccine purchase funds to obtain vaccines at prices below those available in the commercial marketplace.

In addition, awardees may opt to purchase additional quantities of vaccine under any resulting contract to provide immunizations for children who are not federally vaccine-eligible children using state and local funds. Offerors for this requirement must be manufacturers of pediatric vaccines in accordance with 42 U.S.C. § 1396s.

The term "manufacturer" means any corporation, organization, or institution, whether public or private (including Federal, State, and local departments, agencies, and instrumentalities), which manufactures, imports, processes, or distributes under its label any pediatric vaccine. The term "manufacture" means to manufacture, import, process, or distribute a vaccine.