Deep red color emitting $YVO_4:Eu^{3+}$ phosphors were investigated in an attempt to achieve promising performances in cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) applications. For this purpose, several additives such as LiF, $Li_2CO_3$ and $HBO_3$ were introduced in the processing. While two of the additives were ineffective, the inclusion of $LiCO_3$ during the solid state synthesis of $YVO_4:Eu^{3+}$ phosphors was proven to enhance photoluminescent intensity and the color chromaticity. Unlike the commercially available $YVO_4:Eu^{3+}$ red phosphor for use in PDP applications, pure $YVO_4:Eu^{3+}$ excluding phosphorous was shown to be favorable for CCFL applications, improving color chromaticity at 254nm excitations.