UCSF to Offer Free Flu Shots Throughout September
UC San Francisco will be holding free drop-in flu shot clinics for all UCSF employees,students and volunteers from Monday, Sept. 6 to Friday, Sept. 29.
The drop-in clinics will be at various UCSF locations, including Parnassus, Mount Zion, Mission Bay, Mission Center Building, Laurel Heights, China Basin, Executive Park and 3360 Geary.
The UCSF flu shot drop-in clinics are part of an effort to protect staff, patients and the integrity of the UCSF workforce.
In accordance with California law and UCSF Medical Center policy, it is required that all UCSF Medical Center staff, students and volunteers receive an annual influenza vaccination or complete a declination form. If you wish to decline, you must complete the online declination form and wear a hospital-supplied mask while in patient care or clinical areas for the duration of the influenza season. The declination form will be made available online in mid-October.
Everyone who receives a flu shot will be given a circular pink sticker that must be placed on the front of his or her ID badge; old stickers should be removed. Employees who receive a vaccination outside of UCSF must submit documentation to Occupational Health Services to receive a sticker and be in compliance with UCSF policy.
Influenza, which is commonly called the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The most effective way to prevent infection from an influenza virus is through annual flu vaccination, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Though flu viruses circulate throughout the year, increased influenza activity often begins in October, according to the CDC. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. in January or February. The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older by the end of October, if possible.
The flu vaccine is designed to protect against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. More information regarding the flu vaccine and CDC recommendations are available on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov.
For information about the Flu Shot program, please contact Occupational Health at (415) 885-7580, option 1, or email [email protected].
See the lineup of the clinics on the UCSF Events Calendar »
For more campus news and resources, visit Pulse of UCSF.