Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to provide an update on this year’s COVID-19 vaccine and related policies for our UCSF community. 

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration approved and authorized updated versions of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for the 2024-25 season, and they are now widely available at local pharmacies and clinics. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone six months and older receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine regardless of whether they have been previously vaccinated.

The updated vaccines have been formulated to better match currently circulating variants and to reduce the risk of severe disease. Because we know that protection from prior vaccines decreases over time, it is important to stay up to date with annual COVID-19 vaccination to ensure optimal protection for you and your loved ones, as well as our patients, colleagues and communities throughout the fall and winter seasons.

COVID-19 Vaccines for UCSF Staff, Faculty & Learners

Our recommendation and policies related to the updated COVID-19 vaccine are as follows:

• It is strongly recommended that everyone in the UCSF community receive the updated vaccine. 
• You should obtain the vaccine through your local pharmacy, health care provider or community vaccine site. More information is available on the OHS website.
• UCSF staff, faculty and learners will need to submit proof of vaccination or a declination form. 
• Proof of vaccination or declination should be submitted via the OHS Portal or Digital Screener. 
• UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland employees should submit documentation to [email protected] or through the Digital Screener.
• A deadline for compliance will be communicated at a later date.

COVID-19 Vaccines for UCSF Health Patients

I am pleased to share that UCSF Health has received its first shipment of the updated adult Pfizer vaccine and is now offering it to patients. If you come to UCSF for primary care, you can ask for the vaccine during your next primary care visit. We also are creating new access points and will soon offer the vaccine through our UCSF Health pharmacies at Parnassus Heights and in the Bayfront Medical Building when they open in October. 

UCSF Employee Flu Compliance Reminder

As a reminder, flu compliance is due by Friday, November 1, 2024, and members of the UCSF community can get a flu vaccine at one of several UCSF locations.

Thank you for your commitment to the patients and families we serve and for doing your part to protect yourselves and each other in the months ahead. 

Sincerely,

Joshua Adler
Chief Clinical Officer
UCSF Health