Updated March 10, 2023
Notice: U.S. health officials have approved COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months and up. To schedule an appointment, log in to MyChart or call us at (415) 476-3307. In addition, we are now offering updated COVID-19 boosters that better target the dominant Omicron subvariants. Patients ages 5 and up should get an updated booster at least two months after their most recent shot, whether that was the second dose of a primary vaccine series or an original booster. Children ages 6 months to 4 years can get an updated shot depending on the primary vaccine series they received. Schedule now through MyChart or by calling (415) 476-3307. |
- Children ages 6 months and up should get the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Children ages 5 and up should get an updated (bivalent) booster at least two months after their most recent shot, whether that was the second dose of a primary series or a monovalent booster.
- Children ages 6 months to 4 years can get an updated shot depending on the primary vaccine series they received. (See guidelines below.)
- Children who are immunocompromised should follow the guidelines recommended for them. (See below.)
U.S. health officials recommend COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 6 months and older, and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals offer the vaccine to all patients in this age group. Patients can also get vaccines from local pharmacies and primary care physicians. We encourage you to find a vaccine location that is convenient for you. Full vaccination requires two or three doses administered at separate appointments, depending on your child's age and the vaccine you choose. (See below for more information.) When your child gets the first dose, we'll schedule the next appointment.
COVID-19 vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from the virus, slow transmission and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging.
COVID-19 vaccination locations
All children ages 6 months and older can receive a COVID-19 vaccine at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals. Your child does not need to be an existing UCSF patient. Schedule through MyChart or by calling us at (415) 476-3307.
Please keep these rules in mind:
- Patients 6 months to 17 years old must be accompanied by a parent or other adult caregiver.
- Each patient and their parent or caregiver will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. If either of them has symptoms, the appointment must be rescheduled.
Oakland FQHC Primary Care
5220 Claremont Ave.
Oakland, CA 94618
FQHC Primary Care offers vaccines for FQHC patients only. To schedule an appointment, log in to MyChart or call us at (510) 428-3226, Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Note that certain days may be reserved only for particular age groups.
UCSF Fresno Mobile HeaL COVID-19 Equity Project (6 months+)
550 E. Shaw Ave.
Fresno, CA 93710
No appointment is needed, but you can schedule one through My Turn. A parent or guardian must consent to the vaccination, and for teens ages 14 to 17, both parent and teen must consent. Proof of age is required: Bring any form of ID that shows the vaccine recipient's full name and date of birth or age. For more information, visit the Fresno COVID Equity Project, call or text (559) 349-8082, or email [email protected].
We encourage you to visit UCSF MyChart to create a patient portal account with UCSF (known as a MyChart account). This is the best way for us to communicate directly with you. If you have trouble signing up or using MyChart, call the MyChart help desk at (415) 514-6000.
Vaccine and booster guidelines
All children ages 6 months and older should get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Federal health officials also recommend booster shots for eligible patients. Booster shots – which help to maximize and extend the protection that the COVID-19 vaccine provides – are different from an "additional dose" of the vaccine, which was approved for immunocompromised patients. (See details in the next section.)
Kids ages 5 and older get an updated (bivalent) booster, which targets COVID-19's Omicron subvariants better than the original booster formula. Children ages 6 months to 4 years can get an updated shot depending on the primary vaccine series they received.
The dosage timeline depends on your child's age and the vaccine you choose. See the following guidelines:
Moderna: ages 6 months to 17 years
- Two doses given four to eight weeks apart.
- Updated booster given at least two months after the second dose or most recent booster.
Pfizer: ages 6 months to 4 years
- Three doses: The first and second dose are given three to eight weeks apart. The third dose is an updated vaccine given at least eight weeks after the second dose.
- No booster approved.
Pfizer: ages 5 to 17 years
- Two doses given three to eight weeks apart.
- Updated booster given at least two months after the second dose or most recent booster.
Guidelines for immunocompromised patients
Kids who are moderately to severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters.
Visit the UCSF Health website for details about additional doses and boosters for immunocompromised patients, including who's eligible. Eligible kids can receive these shots at the UCSF locations above. Community pharmacies also offer these doses; make an appointment at www.vaccines.gov.
The dosage timeline depends on your child's age and the vaccine you choose. See the following guidelines for immunocompromised children:
Moderna: immunocompromised children ages 6 months to 17 years
- Three doses given at least four weeks apart.
- Updated booster (fourth shot) given at least two months after the second dose or most recent booster.
Pfizer: immunocompromised children ages 6 months to 4 years
- Three doses: The first and second dose are given three weeks apart. The third dose is an updated vaccine given at least eight weeks after the second dose.
- No booster approved.
Pfizer: immunocompromised children ages 5 to 11 years
- Three doses: The first and second dose are given three weeks apart. The third dose is given at least eight weeks after the second.
- Updated booster (fourth shot) given at least two months after the third dose.
Pfizer: immunocompromised children ages 12 to 17 years
- Three doses: The first and second dose are given three weeks apart. The third dose is given at least four weeks after the second.
- Updated booster (fourth shot) given at least two months after the third dose or most recent booster.