California WIC Updates
Learn more about what is new with the California WIC program.
Ending Infant Formula Flexibilities in WIC
āāUpdated February 17, 2023
The availability of infant formula has significantly improved following a period of shortages. Similac Advance, Similac Sensitive, and Similac Total Comfort are now more accessible at WIC authorized stores. On December 19, 2022, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
announced a three-phase plan to end the temporary expanded WIC formula options. The first phase starts on March 1, 2023.
The last dates to purchase specific formula options are found in the list below:
āFebruary 28, 2023
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- Enfamil milk-based formulas
- Gerber milk and soy-based formulas
- Store brand milk and soy-based formulas
- Similac soy-based formulas
- Imported formulas (i.e., Bubs and Kendamil)
- Any ready-to-feed formulas that do not require a prescriptionā
|
āApril 30, 2023
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- Larger sizes of Similac powder formulas
- Larger size of ProSobee powder - 20.9 ozāāā
|
āJune 30, 2023
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- Larger sizes of therapeutic formulas
- Hypoallergenic store brand formulas
- Imported therapeutic formulas
- Ready-to-feed therapeutic formulas*ā
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*Similac Alimentum ready-to-feed will continue to be available on the WIC Card until Alimentum powder returns to the marketplace.
CDPH/WIC will continue to update the webpage
Information for WIC Families on Infant Formula Availability. For more information on the timeline for the ending of temporary expanded WIC formula options go to
the USDA website. For general guidance and information about WIC contract formulas go to
the MyFamily contract formulas webpageā.
WIC Fruits and Vegetables Benefit Increase Extended Through September 30, 2023
Updated December 23, 20ā22
WIC families receive a monthly cash-value benefit on their California WIC Card for fruits and vegetables purchases. Families can buy fresh, dried, canned, and frozen fruits and vegetables in any brand, type, or combination with their Fruits and Vegetables Benefit. Organic fruits and vegetables are included.
The WIC Fruits and Vegetables Benefit has been temporarily increased through September 30, 2023. CDPH anticipates the increase may extend beyond this date. Please check the WIC Fruits and Vegetables Benefit webpage for updates.
More information on the WIC Fruits and Vegetables Benefit increase can be found on the WIC Fruits and Vegetables Benefit webpage.
COVID-19 Information for WIC Families
Updated December 19, 2022
Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna bivalent vaccines are now available for children 6 months and older.
The updated Pfizer Bio-BioNTech bivalent vaccine and the Moderna bivalent vaccine shots have been granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What do parents and caregivers need to know?
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Children 6 months through 5 years of age who received the original (monovalent) Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine are now eligible to receive a single updated (bivalent) Moderna COVID-19 booster two months after completing a primary series with the monovalent Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine.
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Children 6 months through 4 years of age who have not yet begun their three-dose primary series of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or have not yet received the third dose of their primary series will now receive the updated (bivalent) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as the third dose in their primary series following two doses of the original (monovalent) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
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Children 6 months through 4 years of age who have already completed their three-dose primary series with the original (monovalent) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine will not be eligible for an updated bivalent vaccine dose at this time. Children in this age group who already completed their primary series would still be expected to have protection against the most serious outcomes from the currently circulating omicron variant. The data to support giving an updated bivalent vaccine dose for these children are expected in January. The agency is committed to evaluating those data as quickly as possible.
Get the bivalent vaccine shot as soon as you're eligible. If you're 6 months or older, you should get the updated bivalent vaccine at least 2 months after any COVID vaccine or booster dose.
For those 6 years and older, the bivalent vaccine can also be a different vaccine brand than what you got in your original series.
To book your bivalent vaccine shot or find a walk-in clinic, visit My Turn.
This new bivalent vaccine will increase immunity against the original COVID-19 strain. It also protects against new Omicron variants. See why the CDC urges you to stay up to date with your vaccines.
Read more bivalent vaccine facts and bivalent vaccine questions and answers from CDPH.
Use the information on the COVID-19 Information for WIC Families webpage to learn more about WIC services during the pandemic and find information to feel good about the facts when making the decision that is best for your family.āāā