The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) is urgently urging residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) this fall and winter to prevent serious illness.
With the new updated COVID-19 vaccine now available this autumn, specifically targeting the latest virus variants, health officials emphasize that this is a crucial public health strategy to help enhance community immunity against these viruses.
Dr. George Han, the director of communicable disease control at SFDPH, advises that regardless of prior vaccination status, all residents six months and older—including infants, children, adults, and seniors—should receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine. He highlighted that this new version of the vaccine is particularly effective against recent variants, and he encourages residents to schedule their appointments as soon as possible, ideally before the end of October.
While the federal government’s free COVID-19 vaccination program has ended, Dr. Albert Yu, the city’s health data information director, mentioned, “Even with the federal funding having concluded, insured residents can still easily find locations for the latest COVID-19 and flu vaccines via Vaccines.gov.”
For those without insurance, the health department has important alternatives. Dr. Yu noted that California has expanded Medi-Cal coverage to include all eligible individuals regardless of immigration status, enabling more low-income families to access vaccination services.
In addition to the Medi-Cal expansion, the San Francisco Department of Public Health is also implementing the “Healthy SF” program, which provides affordable healthcare services, including vaccinations, to uninsured residents.
