California vaccine management system’s funding is running out. ‘Incredibly concerning’

Without myCAvax, one small county health department has to manage their vaccine ordering and distribution on a spreadsheet so large it takes 17 minutes to open.

This was one example brought forward in public comment on how the pandemic-era digital tool saves health departments and providers hundreds of hours of work a year.

The catch? It costs $44 million annually to operate.

“It’s a godawful amount of money,” said Assemblymember Joe Patterson, R-Rocklin, during an informational hearing Monday. “I mean, I can’t believe it costs that much money.”

At the hearing, held by the Assembly Budget subcommittee on health, the California Department of Public Health said they were short about $39 million to continue the myCAvax program beyond June 30, 2025. There is currently no funding for the program in the governor’s proposed budget. About half a dozen representatives from various health agencies showed up in person to request the program remain operational.

According to Adrian Barraza, Assistant Deputy Director of the CDPH Center for Infectious Diseases, myCAvax supports the ordering and distribution of more than 10 million vaccine doses annually to more than 7,000 health care providers. He estimated the state had already invested about $200 million into the program.

In June, CDPH moved its Vaccines for Children program to myCAvax, making the platform the designated spot for ordering and distributing vaccines to children on MediCal.

When questioned by lawmakers, Christine Cherdboonmuang with the Department of Finance said the department had identified about $5 million in funding from the federal government, and they were looking at other possible sources of federal funding.

“The proposed solution is to watch whether the federal government, that currently has an anti-vaxxer running the department that would allocate these funds, that we would somehow get that funding,” said Mia Bonta, D-Oakland, referring to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was earlier this month confirmed as U.S. Health and Human Services secretary. “That’s the plan right now.”

Cherdboonmuang said the department is hoping to get the funding during the budget process. She added they’re aiming to bring the cost of maintenance and operation of the site down.

Board Chair Dawn Addis, D-San Luis Obispo, said she found the lack of funding “incredibly concerning,” and urged the department to return with a more substantial plan.

According to a presentation given to the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, California paid $93 million in 2021 for its initial vaccine management system, including myCAvax.

This story was originally published February 24, 2025 at 7:54 PM.