This message is being sent from Josh Adler, MD, Chief Clinical Officer, UCSF Health, and Rahmat Balogun, DO, MS, MPH, Medical Director, Occupational Health Services, to faculty, staff, learners, as well as UCSF Health employees and physician groups. 

Dear UCSF Community,

Influenza (flu) vaccinations will be available at UCSF beginning Sept. 9, 2026. We encourage all faculty, staff, learners, physicians, and volunteers to get vaccinated. Occupational Health Services (OHS) will offer free flu vaccinations at outreach clinics across UCSF. Check the flu vaccination outreach clinic schedule for current dates, times, and locations. 

Annual flu vaccination helps reduce the spread of influenza and protect our patients, colleagues, families, and communities, particularly as we enter the respiratory virus season.

Where to get your flu vaccine

In addition to OHS flu outreach clinics, there are other options for getting vaccinated:

• Flu Ambassadors: Some departments have trained nurse Flu Ambassadors who can administer vaccines at work locations upon request. Check whether your department has a Flu Ambassador. To learn more about becoming a Flu Ambassador, email [email protected].
• Occupational Health Services: Beginning Oct. 1, OHS locations will offer walk-in flu vaccinations during their regular business hours.
• UCSF Pharmacies: Flu vaccinations are available to patients and employees at UCSF pharmacies at Parnassus Heights and Mission Bay. Walk-ins are available. If you are employed at UCSF and are a UCSF Health patient, you can schedule an appointment through UCSF MyChart.
• Your health care provider: Check with your primary care provider or review vaccination options available through your medical plan.
• Local pharmacies: Flu vaccines are also available through pharmacies covered by your health insurance, including Walgreens, CVS, Costco, and Safeway.

If you get vaccinated outside UCSF

If you receive your vaccine outside UCSF — for example, at a local pharmacy or from a non-UCSF health care provider — be sure to document your vaccination with OHS.

You can:

• Submit your vaccination record through the OHS Portal (VPN required);
• Provide an attestation through the Digital Screener; or
• Email your record to [email protected]

Vaccination documentation should include at least two identifiers, such as your name, date of birth, or medical record number. If your documentation contains only one identifier, add your UCSF Employee ID or date of birth before submitting it.

Key dates and requirements

Flu vaccination requirements are established by public health agencies and the University of California. UCSF faculty, staff, learners, physicians, and volunteers must comply with UCSF’s flu vaccination policy by Nov. 1, 2026, by either receiving and documenting the annual flu vaccination or submitting a declination.

• Sept. 9: OHS flu outreach clinics begin
• Oct. 15: Flu declination available
• Nov. 1: Flu vaccination compliance due

For complete information about this year’s requirements and vaccination options, visit the OHS Flu Immunization website.

We encourage you to get vaccinated early and take advantage of the vaccination options available beginning in September.

Sincerely,

Josh Adler, MD
Chief Clinical Officer
UCSF Health

Rahmat Balogun, DO, MS, MPH
Medical Director
Occupational Health Services