COVID-19 Vaccines at UCSF Health

Updated March 29, 2023

Note: If you're a UCSF patient, you can schedule a vaccine or booster appointment by calling us at (415) 476-3307. If you receive your primary care at UCSF, you also have the option to book through your primary care provider.

COVID-19 vaccines remain the best public health measure for protecting people from the virus, slowing transmission and reducing the likelihood of new variants emerging.

Who's eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine

Everyone who's at least 6 months old is eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for kids at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals.

Stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccination

Recommendations for staying up-to-date can vary depending on your age, previous COVID-19 vaccinations you've received and whether you're immunocompromised. View eligibility criteria and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the general population and for people who are immunocompromised.

UCSF requires patients awaiting lung transplants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We also strongly encourage this for patients awaiting kidney, liver, pancreas and heart transplants. We updated these policies on May 11, 2023, in response to the end of the public health emergency and the availability of highly effective therapies for COVID-19.

Where to get the COVID-19 vaccine

If you're a UCSF patient, you can book a vaccine or booster appointment by calling us at (415) 476-3307. If you receive your primary care at UCSF, you also have the option to schedule this through your primary care provider.

When scheduling your appointment, if you have a preference about which vaccine brand you receive, please confirm that your provider offers the specific brand you are seeking, as inventory can vary based on location. We no longer offer drive-through vaccination appointments.

For some patients, it may be quicker to get the vaccine at a nearby pharmacy or vaccination clinic. To schedule an appointment, visit your pharmacy's website, your county's vaccine website, California's My Turn or the national vaccines.gov site.

Public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people

Check the latest COVID-19 recommendations from the CDC. Learn about your risks with regard to socializing with vaccinated or unvaccinated people, other social activities outside the home, domestic and international travel, and more.

FAQ: Understanding the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters

Most people should get vaccinated and boosted. In addition to reducing your chances of contracting COVID-19, the vaccines have been very effective at preventing severe illness and death in those who do become infected. The COVID-19 virus is always changing (making new variants), so it's important to stay up-to-date on booster shots, which stoke the immune system to fight both old and new forms of the virus.

For more information, explore the CDC's answers to frequently asked questions, including:

What are the ingredients in COVID-19 vaccines?
Are COVID-19 vaccines safe even though the vaccines were developed rapidly?
If I am pregnant or planning to become pregnant, can I get a COVID-19 vaccine?
If I already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get a COVID-19 vaccine?
Do I need to wait after getting a flu vaccine or another vaccine before getting a COVID-19 vaccine?
Do boosters use the same ingredients as existing vaccines?
What are the risks to getting a booster?
Am I still considered "fully vaccinated" if I don't get a booster?

UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.