H.R. 8425 — Strengthening the Vaccines for Children Program Act of 2026

This section amends the Social Security Act to expand immunization access under Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program (which provides no-cost qualified pediatric vaccines to eligible low-income children through participating providers), as follows: (1) expands the definition of federally vaccine-eligible child to include any child administered a qualified pediatric vaccine who lacks insurance coverage for that vaccine and any child enrolled in a state CHIP plan; (2) requires state Medicaid programs, Medicaid managed care plans, and CHIP to pay providers for vaccine administration and counseling services—including those for VFC-provided vaccines—at not less than 100% of the Medicare Part B payment rate through December 31, 2028; (3) clarifies that VFC providers may charge federally vaccine-eligible children for vaccine administration and counseling (regardless of whether the vaccine is administered), limited to regional costs (as determined by the Secretary) for single-component vaccines or, for multi-component vaccines, such costs for the first component and the Medicare Part B rate for each subsequent component; and (4) increases the Federal medical assistance percentage for each state (including the District of Columbia and specified territories) for calendar quarters beginning on or after January 1, 2027.