The Elephant in the Room- a Nonpolitical view on Vaccination Kickbacks (Copy)
Doctors do not receive bonuses or incentives from vaccine companies. There’s no behind-the-scenes deal or financial reward for recommending vaccines. Our guidance is based on science, safety, and what’s best for your child — not profit 💙
💳 How are vaccines paid for if we have private insurance?
Vaccines for privately insured patients are purchased directly by our practice — just like any other medical supply.
We pay upfront for each dose 💸
Dr. Li often spends thousands at a time, only to see reimbursement come in slowly
Insurance companies reimburse us, but often just slightly more than what we paid and sadly sometimes even less
That small margin helps cover storage, staffing, and safe administration — but it’s not a money-maker
🧾 What if we have Medicaid or no insurance?
Florida’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides vaccines at no cost for eligible children, including those on Medicaid or without insurance.
We do not charge for the vaccine itself
We only bill for the time, supplies, and expertise needed to give the shot — things like gloves 🧤, syringes 💉, and staff time ⏱️
Our goal is to make sure every child is protected, regardless of their family’s financial situation 🤝
🕰️ What about in the past? Were doctors ever paid by vaccine companies?
Not directly — but things were different.
Before the mid-2000s, pharmaceutical reps often offered small gifts like pens 🖊️, notepads 📒, lunches 🥪, and even sponsored trips ✈️ to conferences
These weren’t payments for giving vaccines, but they were part of a strategy to build goodwill and influence prescribing behavior
In 2008, the PhRMA code of conduct banned branded gifts and tightened rules around meals and events
By the 2010s, federal regulations like the Sunshine Act (2013) required public reporting of any payments or transfers of value — helping restore transparency 🌞