Dear UCSF Community,

With influenza season approaching, I am writing to emphasize the importance of getting a flu vaccine to protect yourself, your family, as well as your colleagues, our patients, and our communities.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urge everyone age six months and older to get a yearly flu vaccine as a safe and effective way to prevent mild to severe illness that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes, death.

County public health authorities require that those who work in a health care facility, including faculty, staff, learners and volunteers at UCSF, Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and UCSF Fresno, must get a flu shot prior to the start of the flu season, which begins Nov. 1, 2023.  

You have several options and locations available to get your flu vaccine, including on-site flu clinics, Occupational Health clinics, your primary care provider, and most pharmacies. Please see the UCSF flu clinic schedule for campus locations and dates that begin at Mount Zion on Wednesday, Sept. 6.

BCH Oakland also will be starting vaccinations on September 6 at Oakland’s Outpatient Center on the main campus. Information will be available through BCH Oakland Employee Health.  

Please note that we are awaiting information on COVID-19 vaccines, which are expected later this fall. We will share more information about these vaccines when it becomes available. 

On behalf of the UCSF and UCSF Health leadership team, we thank you for doing your part to be vaccinated and for all that you do for the patients and communities we are privileged to serve.  

Sincerely,

Josh Adler, MD

Chief Clinical Officer

UCSF Health