San Francisco partners with Kaiser for flu clinics starting September 27

Flu vaccination clinics are set to kick off in San Francisco this fall, with the city partnering once again with Kaiser Permanente and their vendor, Albertsons and Safeway. The clinics will run from September 27 to November 7, a shorter timeframe than last year, but still offering a robust schedule of 24 clinics across 23 locations.

This year, the eligibility for vaccinations remains unchanged, allowing employees, retirees, and their spouses or domestic partners to receive the flu shot at designated sites. Notably, the County Fair Building will serve as a new benefit fair location, enhancing access for residents.

In a significant change, members will now need to manually upload their vaccination records to their medical providers, as Kaiser will no longer automatically update these records. This shift emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility in maintaining health records.

The meeting also addressed the ongoing challenges of providing COVID-19 boosters alongside flu vaccinations. Despite efforts to include COVID boosters in this year's clinics, logistical hurdles have prevented their availability. However, educational resources on COVID and RSV vaccinations will be provided at the clinics, with health professionals on-site to assist members.

As the city prepares for flu season, officials are optimistic about improving vaccination rates and ensuring that all eligible members are informed and prepared for the upcoming clinics.