Flu shots at UC Davis Health begin Oct. 1, 2025
Schedule your appointment via MyUCDavisHealth or by calling your clinic. More information below, including dates for drive-thru flu shot clinics.
Infectious Diseases
Influenza (Flu)
You deserve expert care, even for common illnesses like influenza (the flu). Our team is easy to reach and delivers treatments that speed healing.
Medically reviewed by Dean Blumberg, M.D. on Sep. 30, 2025.
What Is the Flu?
The flu is a viral infection that is highly contagious and typically strikes in the late fall and winter. There are two main types. Influenza A is more common and can cause severe symptoms. Type B is less common and more likely late in the season, like February and March.
At UC Davis Health, you receive prompt influenza care close to home. Many primary care provider locations offer same- and next-day appointments for flu symptoms.
Our telehealth express care service makes it possible to receive some services from home. You may still need to come to a lab for testing to confirm the diagnosis.
On this page
Flu Symptoms
The influenza virus affects your nose and throat. Occasionally, it impacts your lungs. In some people, it causes discomfort lasting a few days. Sometimes flu symptoms make people very sick, requiring immediate care in the hospital.
Common Flu Symptoms
The symptoms you experience depend on where the infection spreads and its severity.
- Cough
- Fever and chills
- Head- and body aches
- Sore throat
- Tiredness
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Emergency Influenza Symptoms
Severe symptoms or ones that do not improve in a few days require prompt medical attention.
- Chest pain and difficulty breathing
- Dehydration from frequent vomiting or diarrhea
- Lightheadedness
- Skin or lips turning blue
Causes and Risk Factors of the Flu
Influenza happens when you get infected with the flu virus. After exposure, it may take a few days for you to start feeling sick.
There are some risk factors that can slightly increase your chances of getting influenza.
Age
Young children and older adults are more likely to develop severe flu that may require hospital care.
Other Medical Issues
You face a higher risk if you have a weakened immune system or ongoing medical issues like diabetes.
Vaccination Status
If you have not received your annual flu shot, you have less natural defense against it.
Diagnosis and Testing for Flu
If you have flu-like symptoms, seeing a provider promptly is essential. We can confirm the diagnosis and flu type using a quick lab test. This information helps you start treatments, like antiviral medications, earlier when they’re more likely to be effective.
Flu Treatments
The treatment that’s best for you depends on the flu type and severity.
Antiviral Medications
These medications fight the flu virus, helping you recover in less time. Antiviral drugs also lower the likelihood of flu-related complications.
Home Remedies
Rest is essential when you are trying to recover from the flu. It is also important to get a lot of fluids so you don’t get dehydrated.
Symptom Relievers
Additional medications can improve specific symptoms. Saline nasal spray reduces sinus pressure, making it easier to breathe. Ibuprofen helps treat body aches.
Professional Guidance
Your provider will give you information about flu-related complications and what to do if you think you have one. Additional treatments may be necessary if you have a high fever that doesn’t go away, chest pain or faintness.
Preventing the Flu
While influenza can be highly contagious, taking certain precautions significantly lowers your risk of infection.
Vaccination
One of the best ways to prevent the flu is by getting an annual flu shot.
Hygiene
You can also avoid contact with people who are sick. If you must share space with an infected person, regularly wash your hands and disinfect high-touch surfaces like doorknobs.
Face Masks
Respirator masks such as N95s can prevent you from inhaling the influenza virus. A well-fitted face mask can provide an extra layer of protection in crowded public areas like airports.
Flu Vaccinations (Flu shots)
Flu vaccines for UC Davis Health patients
UC Davis Health is offering this winter’s updated 2025-26 flu and COVID vaccinations starting Oct. 1, 2025. You can schedule your appointment via MyUCDavisHealth or by calling your clinic.
More background
On Sept. 17, 2025, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced official immunization recommendations in accordance with West Coast Health Alliance partners Oregon, Washington and Hawaii.
That guidance, plus information about access and insurance coverage, is now available on the CDPH Public Health For All web page and its Q&A pages.
UC Davis Health is following guidelines from CDPH for both flu and COVID vaccinations. More information is available on the CDPH Public Health For All web page. All UC Davis Health primary care physicians practice in accordance with the above guidelines.
All UC Davis Health primary care clinics offer flu vaccines to their regular patients. There are several ways you can get a flu vaccine from us:
- At some of our primary care clinic locations, you can schedule a drive-through flu vaccine appointment.
- At these appointments, you do not need to get out of your car to get your flu vaccine.
- Drive-through appointments are only for UC Davis Health patients ages 9 years and older, who have previously received a flu vaccine with UC Davis Health,
- Other restrictions apply; see information below for more details.
- If you have a regular primary care appointment coming up at any of our primary care clinics, you can usually ask to receive a flu vaccine during that appointment.
- When you arrive for your appointment, please tell the clinical staff that you are also seeking a flu vaccine that day.
- If you are scheduling an appointment to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine through UC Davis Health, you can usually also get your flu vaccine at that same appointment.
- When you arrive for your appointment, please tell the clinical staff that you are also seeking a flu vaccine that day.
- Important note: You cannot add the COVID vaccine to a scheduled flu vaccine appointment when you arrive for that appointment. This is because of the special way that COVID vaccines must be handled.
- At some of our primary care clinic locations, you can schedule an appointment to get your flu vaccine during an in-person visit to your primary care clinic.
The most convenient way is to use MyUCDavisHealth:
- Click “Schedule an Appointment”
- Click “Flu Shot”
- Follow the prompts to choose your appointment options
Other ways you can typically schedule a flu vaccine with us:
- Call UC Davis Health’s Consumer Resource Center at 800-2-UCDAVIS (800-282-3284)
- Call your primary care clinic
UC Davis Health patients ages 9 years and older, who have previously received a flu vaccine with UC Davis Health, can schedule a drive-through flu vaccine appointment at the following locations and dates:
- Elk Grove: Oct. 18, Nov. 8, and Dec. 6, 2025
- Rancho Cordova: Oct. 11, Nov. 15, and Dec. 13, 2025
- Roseville: Oct. 25, Nov. 22, and Dec. 20, 2025
Drive-through flu vaccine appointments can generally be scheduled for these time slots, but please confirm when you make your appointment:
- Between 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
- Between 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Important notes about our drive-through flu vaccines:
- We cannot give COVID-19 vaccines or boosters at the drive-through flu vaccine clinics. See how to schedule an updated COVID vaccine.
- The driver must be 18 years or older.
- Pediatric (child and adolescent) patients must be accompanied by their parents or guardian.
- Pediatric patients under age 9 can not receive the flu vaccine from us at a drive-through appointment.
- If this is the first time you or your child has ever received a flu vaccine, please do not get the vaccine through a drive-through appointment. This is because there is no ability to monitor for potential adverse effects from a first-time flu shot at a drive-through appointment.
- Only four passengers per vehicle.
How to get the flu vaccine if you’re not a UC Davis Health patient
If you are not a UC Davis patient and you are looking for a flu vaccine, the information and websites below may help.
(Note: Websites listed on this page are updated by government public health agencies. They are not updated by UC Davis Health).
Consumer pharmacies (drug stores) are front-line targets for distribution of flu shots because of their convenience and large number of locations. Many already offer the updated flu vaccine. Check the website for the pharmacy of your choice or give them a call.
Protect yourself from flu web page – usually includes:
- The MyTurn California vaccine scheduling tool.
- A list of local government health departments in counties and cities around the state that may offer free or low-cost flu vaccines.
- A link to find doctors participating in the California Vaccines for Children program.
What you need to know about the flu web page – usually includes:
- A list of flu vaccine clinics and events with flu vaccines, promoted by Sacramento County and its public health department.
- The Vaccine Finder search tool for places near you that are offering flu vaccines and other vaccines. These are places such as nonprofit community health clinics, grocery stores and pharmacies. Cost may vary, so please check.
- Contact information for the Sacramento County Immunization Assistance Program. This includes information about who may qualify for low-cost immunizations.
Influenza (flu) web page – usually includes:
- A list of free flu vaccine clinics and events with flu vaccines, promoted by Yolo County and its public health department.
- The Vaccine Finder search tool for places near you that are offering flu vaccines and other vaccines. These are places such as nonprofit community health clinics, grocery stores and pharmacies. Cost may vary, so please check.
- Child/youth vaccination info, such as information for Partnership Health Plan members and the Vaccines for Children Program.
- Also, information about who may qualify for low-cost immunizations.
Flu vaccination web page – usually includes:
- A list of flu vaccine clinics and events with flu vaccines, promoted by Placer County and its public health department.
- The Vaccine Finder search tool for places near you that are offering flu vaccines and other vaccines. These are places such as nonprofit community health clinics, grocery stores and pharmacies. Cost may vary, so please check.
- Frequently asked questions.
Your county's public health department or its website may have information about vaccine locations, as well as low- or no-cost options.
"Assessment of a respiratory face mask for capturing air pollutants and pathogens including human influenza and rhinoviruses," Journal of Thoracic Disease, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5906272/
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