Disease Prevention and Control, San Francisco Department of Public Health

Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco, USA San Francisco from Twin Peaks Castro District Rainbow Crosswalk Intersection - San Francisco DISEASE PREVENTION & CONTROL We protect the health of all San Franciscans. WHAT WE DO

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Coronavirus Information (COVID-19)

The San Francisco Department of Public Health is working closely with all City departments to: implement strategies to prevent infection, especially in the most vulnerable populations and in healthcare and other essential workers; enact community mitigation efforts to slow transmission; expand COVID-19 testing; and increase hospital capacity to care for the sick.

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Thinking about the Next Flu Season

During summer 2020, while “the flu” is “out of season,” persons who have flu-like symptoms — fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, fatigue, headache and muscle aches — are more likely to have COVID-19 and should seek COVID-19 testing.

The 2020-21 annual flu vaccine will become available starting August-September 2020.  As the COVID-19 pandemic continues through the rest of 2020, it will be more important than ever to get a flu vaccine.  Everyone age 6 months and older should have a yearly flu vaccine. The vaccine protects everyone’s health — it prevents individuals from getting sick, limits the spread of flu from person to person, and reduces the chance of hospitalization.

For more information on influenza including information for providers, visit our influenza home page.

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Babies, Toddlers, Children, Teens:  Are Your Vaccines Up to Date?

National data show that vaccination of children has decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic  As San Francisco cautiously re-opens childcare centers, summer camps and public gardens, children need to be protected from diseases such as measles.

Parents:  Contact your child’s healthcare provider for an appointment that includes catching up on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Healthcare Providers:  Administration of vaccines is an essential medical service!  Identify your patients who are due for recommended vaccinations and recall them for in-person appointments. CDC-recommended vaccinations are encouraged and are allowed as “essential” under the SF Routine Appointments Health Order and as of 6/16/2020 routine medical care is allowed under the SF Ambulatory Care Health Directive.