Fall Is Vaccination Season

Updated: August 17, 2026

Kansas City, Kan.— As fall approaches, so does vaccination season. The University of Kansas Health System recommends immunizations for optimal preventive healthcare. We encourage our patients to remain up to date on vaccinations to help keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities healthy and safe.

The University of Kansas Health System follows standard-of-care guidelines and immunization schedules published by professional organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). However, clinical decisions are always an individual choice, made in consultation with your physician or advanced practice provider with the context of your unique situation.

An annual flu shot reduces your risk of contracting influenza and helps decrease the severity of illness should you become sick with the flu. Learn more about influenza, and reach out to your primary care provider’s office by phone or MyChart message to schedule your vaccination. We expect to begin offering flu shots in early September.

The FDA has approved the first mRNA flu vaccine for adults 50 years and older. The health system will not offer this specific flu vaccine in 2026-27, but it may be available at external pharmacies.

Our teams at the health system will provide COVID-19 vaccination to any patient 6 months and older. We recommend a shared clinical decision-making approach. This means you should discuss your concerns or risk factors with your (or a dependent’s) provider (physician or advanced practice provider) or pharmacist and together make the decision you feel is right for your needs.

Continued COVID-19 vaccination protects from serious illness, hospitalization and death.

Most insurance plans cover vaccinations. Check with your carrier to verify your coverage and any cost to you. Depending upon plans, patients could be responsible for vaccine administration fees or copays. You may also use our self-service, online price estimate tool for an estimate of your coverage and costs to you.

We expect to begin offering COVID-19 vaccines in mid-October. Vaccination is by appointment only. Call your primary care provider’s office or self-schedule in MyChart.

Vaccination is not the only thing you can do to protect yourself against illnesses. Continue to practice the pillars of infection prevention and control – hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and keeping your distance or masking when experiencing symptoms of illness – to help keep yourself and those around you safe during respiratory illness season.

• In the Kansas City metro area
  The health system is providing flu vaccinations to current, eligible patients by appointment only. Depending on insurance coverage, eligibility and availability, RSV vaccination may also be available by appointment. Contact your provider’s office by phone or MyChart message to schedule. You may receive vaccinations in conjunction with upcoming scheduled care.
  Please note, our pediatrics offices will do their best to serve siblings conveniently, but each child in a family should be scheduled for their own injection visit. Parents and guardians seeking to schedule back-to-back flu shots for multiple children should call their provider’s office or send a message in MyChart for assistance. We will be offering flu injections only and will not have FluMist available.


• In Liberty
  Primary care locations of Liberty Hospital, now part of The University of Kansas Health System, are offering flu vaccinations by appointment. Please call your primary care provider’s office to schedule. The health system price estimate tool does not include these locations. While preventive flu vaccination is often covered, contact your insurance carrier for coverage details and costs. If it is uncovered, we will provide a self-pay estimate.
  
  
• In Great Bend
  Great Bend-area patients can get their flu shots by scheduling an appointment with their family medicine, OBGYN or pediatrics care team. Family medicine at St. Rose Medical Pavilion will also offer pediatric and adult RSV vaccinations, and Great Bend Children’s Clinic will offer the pediatric RSV shot. For updates on COVID-19 vaccine availability, contact the Barton County Health Department.
  
  
• In your community
  You may choose to receive vaccinations at a local community provider. MyChart users, visit your account and upload the details afterward. Keep your medical record current and your care team informed.