Your guide to flu and COVID-19 vaccines at UC Davis Health

UC Davis Health is now offering updated 2026-27 flu and COVID-19 vaccines for patients. These vaccines are designed to help protect against the viruses expected this respiratory virus season.

Influenza, or the flu, is a respiratory illness that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. In some cases, the flu can lead to hospitalization or even death.

• What is the flu?: Symptoms and treatments

COVID-19 is an infectious disease that often causes symptoms similar to a cold or the flu. Most people recover, but some can become very sick and develop serious health problems.

• COVID-19 symptoms and treatments

Vaccination is the best protection against serious illness from flu and COVID-19. Health experts recommend flu vaccines for everyone ages 6 months and older. COVID-19 vaccines are especially recommended for young children ages 6 to 23 months, those 65 years of age or older, and other priority groups with risk factors for severe disease and are available to anyone ages 6 months and older who chooses protection.

For the 2026-27 respiratory virus season, UC Davis Health is offering the following flu and COVID-19 vaccines:

Flu vaccines

FluLaval: An injectable inactivated influenza vaccine used to prevent illness caused by influenza A and B viruses.

• Who can get it: Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people 6 months and older.
• How it works: The vaccine helps your body build protection against the flu by teaching your immune system to recognize and fight the flu viruses included in that season's vaccine.
• How it is given: It is administered as a single shot in the upper arm.
• Egg content: It is made using egg-based methods, however the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says people with egg allergies can receive any flu vaccine that is right for their age and health status. If you have had a severe allergic reaction to eggs and have concerns, talk with your doctor about getting vaccinated.

Fluzone High-Dose: An annual influenza vaccine specifically made for adults 65 and older to provide a stronger immune response than standard-dose flu.

• What makes it different: This vaccine contains a higher dose to help create a stronger immune response. It has four times more flu-fighting antigen than a standard flu shot.
• Who should get it: It is recommended for adults 65 and older because the immune system becomes weaker with age.
• How it is given: It is administered as a single shot in the upper arm.
• How well it works: Studies show it provides better protection against the flu and can help reduce flu-related hospital stays in older adults compared to a standard-dose flu shot.
• Egg content: It is made using egg-based methods. The CDC says people with egg allergies can receive any flu vaccine that is right for their age and health status. If you have had a severe allergic reaction to eggs and have concerns, talk with your doctor about getting vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccines

Spikevax (Moderna) for ages 6 months to 11 years: FDA-approved mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 in children.

• Who should get it: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends the updated COVID-19 vaccine for everyone 6 months and older to reduce their risk of severe illness, hospitalization or death.
• What it protects against: The 2026-27 vaccine is designed to protect against the COVID-19 XFG variant, a descendant of the JN.1 strain.
• How it works: It trains the immune system to recognize and fight the COVID-19 virus, significantly lowering the risk of severe COVID-19, hospitalization and death.
• How it is given: Given as a shot in the muscle.

Spikevax (Moderna) for ages 12 years and older: FDA-approved, mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for active immunization to prevent COVID-19.

• Who should get it: CDPH recommends the updated COVID-19 vaccine for everyone 6 months and older who chooses to reduce their risk of severe illness, hospitalization or death.
• What it protects against: The 2026-27 vaccine is designed to protect against the COVID-19 XFG variant, a descendant of the JN.1 strain.
• How it works: It trains the immune system to recognize and fight the COVID-19 virus, significantly lowering the risk of severe COVID-19, hospitalization and death.
• How it is given: Administered as a shot in the muscle.

Ways UC Davis Health patients can get their flu and COVID-19 vaccines

• The most convenient way to schedule a vaccination appointment is to use MyUCDavisHealth: 
  
  • Schedule through MyUCDavisHealth
  • Click to schedule an appointment
  • Select flu shot or COVID-19 vaccination
  • Follow the prompts to choose a date, time and location
• You can schedule your flu and COVID-19 vaccine appointments by calling the vaccine line at 916-703-5555. 
• If you have an in-person appointment with your primary care provider, you can ask to receive your vaccines during that visit.
• You can schedule a vaccine-only appointment at any UC Davis Health primary care clinic in the region, Monday through Friday.
• Drive-through flu shots are available by appointment only at the following locations:
  
  • UC Davis Health Elk Grove Clinic: Oct. 24 to Nov. 7
  • UC Davis Health Folsom Medical Care Clinic: Oct. 17 to Dec. 5
  • UC Davis Health Rancho Cordova Clinic: Oct. 3 to Nov. 14
  • UC Davis Health Roseville Clinic: Oct. 10 to Nov. 21
• Vaccines are also available for patients ages 18 years and older at two UC Davis Health pharmacies:
  
  • 48X Pharmacy 
    
    • Flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines 
    • Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Davis Clinic Pharmacy
    
    • Flu and RSV vaccines 
    • Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., closed for lunch 12:45 – 1:30 p.m.

Important Information

• Immunocompromised patients should call the vaccine line (916-703-5555) to schedule their COVID-19 vaccines. They may need a different vaccine schedule than other patients.
• If you have a scheduled COVID-19 vaccine appointment, you can ask to receive a flu shot during the same visit.
• If you have a scheduled flu shot appointment, a COVID-19 vaccine cannot be added when you arrive. COVID-19 vaccines require special handling and must be scheduled in advance.

How to get the flu and COVID-19 vaccine if you’re not a UC Davis Health patient

If you are not a UC Davis Health patient, here are some resources to help you get a flu vaccine:

• Consumer pharmacies (drugstores): Check the website for the pharmacy of your choice or give them a call.
• California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
• Sacramento County Health Services
• Yolo County Health and Human Services
• Placer County Public Health