COVID-19 Vaccines at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals

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Last updated October 21, 2025

COVID-19 vaccines help our bodies develop immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19 without us having to get the illness. Vaccination remains the safest strategy for avoiding hospitalizations, long-term health outcomes, and death.

Our care teams follow the recommendations provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and West Coast Health Alliance. Everyone 6 months and older is eligible for a COVID vaccine, and our health experts recommend it. Talk to your care team if you have questions.

Who's eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine

• Children ages 6 months and up should get a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Everyone over 6 months old is eligible. In California, you don’t need a prescription.
• Children who are immunocompromised should follow guidance from their care team.

Where to get the COVID-19 vaccine

Children over 6 months old who come to UCSF for primary care are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine with us. Patients under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or other adult caregiver. Health insurance coverage may vary based on your specific plan. If you're a Kaiser patient, visit the Kaiser website to find out where to get flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

You can ask for an updated dose of the vaccine during an upcoming scheduled visit, or contact your clinic to schedule a vaccine-only visit. COVID-19 vaccines are also available through many pharmacies, including our UCSF Outpatient Pharmacies at Parnassus and Mission Bay for kids 3 and up. If your child isn't a UCSF patient, we recommend scheduling an appointment at a local pharmacy or contacting your child's primary care provider.

Guidelines for immunocompromised patients

Kids who are moderately to severely immunocompromised have different recommendations on COVID-19 vaccines than kids with normal immune function. Talk to your doctor to understand what’s best for your child.

FAQ: Understanding the COVID-19 vaccine

Can my child get a COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes, if your child is at least 6 months old.

Does my child need a prescription to get the vaccine?

No, they do not need a prescription. Some health care providers might provide a prescription for the COVID-19 vaccine, but it is not required to get one in California.

I was just sick. Should I get the vaccine?

You should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine even if you recently had COVID-19. This provides added protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. You may consider waiting 3 months after you recover from COVID to get the vaccine.

Children and adults who have (or have recently had) multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) should wait to get vaccinated until they:

• Recover from being sick and
• It has been 90 days since they were diagnosed with MIS-A or MIS-C.

Are COVID-19 vaccines safe for kids?

We know that COVID vaccines are safe and effective for kids age 6 months and up. This is based on data from clinical trials involving thousands of children. Because most negative effects from this type of vaccine – called an mRNA vaccine – occur within six weeks of receiving the shot, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked the manufacturer to provide eight weeks of safety data after the last dose. None of the children vaccinated in these trials experienced severe side effects.

A very small percentage of people may have a severe allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis, to any vaccine, including a COVID-19 vaccine. If anaphylaxis occurs, vaccine providers have medication on hand to treat it immediately.

Some parents have expressed concerns about the vaccine. Here are the facts on a few common misconceptions:

Myth: Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is not a safer and more dependable way to build immunity to COVID-19 than getting sick with COVID-19.

Fact: COVID-19 vaccination causes a more predictable immune response than an infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.

Myth: The ingredients in COVID-19 vaccines are not safe.

Fact: Nearly all the ingredients in COVID-19 vaccines are also ingredients in many foods – fats, sugars, and salts.

Myth: COVID-19 vaccines cause new variants.

Fact: New variants of the COVID-19 virus happen because the virus that causes COVID-19 constantly changes through a natural ongoing process of mutation (change).

How long before the COVID-19 vaccine takes full effect?

As with adults, children are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the last dose of their primary series.

Are there side effects?

Side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine can vary from person to person. Some people experience a little discomfort and can continue to go about their day.

Others have side effects that affect their ability to do daily activities. Side effects generally go away in a few days and tend to be mild and temporary, like those experienced after routine vaccinations. Even if you don’t experience any side effects, your body is building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19.

Common side effects can include:

• Pain, swelling, and redness on the arm where the shot was given.
• Tiredness, headache, muscle pain
• Chills
• Nausea
• Fever

Relieve Common Side Effects

• It is not recommended to take pain relievers or medicines, such as ibuprofen, aspirin (only for people ages 18 years or older), or acetaminophen before vaccination to try to prevent side effects.
• Talk to your doctor about taking over-the-counter pain relievers after your vaccine.
• If possible, get some rest.

To relieve pain or swelling on the arm where you got the shot:

• Apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the area.
• Use or keep moving your arm.

To reduce discomfort from fever:

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Dress in comfortable clothes.

More information on COVID-19 vaccines at UCSF Health