(SACRAMENTO)

Getting an annual flu shot can be stressful for some people — especially those with autism, fragile X syndrome, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. That’s where a specialized, seasonal vaccine clinic at the UC Davis MIND Institute comes in. 

The room where vaccines are given has multiple sensory options that can be used or removed depending on a child’s needs. 

The PATH Vaccination Clinic offers COVID-19 and flu vaccines for individuals 6 months and older with neurodevelopmental conditions and their siblings. PATH stands for Promoting Accessibility to Healthcare. It’s an effort funded by the Children’s Miracle Network at UC Davis to improve care for neurodiverse children and their families. 

“Some children with neurodevelopmental conditions are dealing with anxiety or sensory challenges or other fears,” explained Chief of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Scott Akins, who is the medical director of the MIND Institute. “Some may have also experienced trauma around shots, blood draws or other medical appointments. That’s why we provide individualized care that meets neurodiverse children where they are and creates a more positive health care experience.”

The PATH Vaccination Clinic is now open and offers vaccines on Fridays through December 20. It operates from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You do not need to be a UC Davis Health patient to get vaccinations at the clinic. Call 916-703-5555 to make an appointment; walk-ins are not allowed.

How is the PATH Vaccination Clinic different?

Providers and child life specialists trained in caring for neurodiverse patients offer individualized care.

The clinic is also designed to be sensory friendly. Patients are scheduled for longer periods of time to create a calm, unrushed environment that reduces pressure.

Some children with neurodevelopmental conditions are dealing with anxiety or sensory challenges or other fears. Some may have also experienced trauma around shots, blood draws or other medical appointments. That’s why we provide individualized care that meets neurodiverse children where they are and creates a more positive health care experience.”—Scott Akins, medical director, UC Davis MIND Institute

Appointments are required, because child life specialists reach out to each family to help them prepare for the visit.

“The child life specialists work with families to find out how to meet the patient’s needs, ask about their interests and design a coping plan,” explained Katharine Harlan-Owens, program manager for PATH. “They have also developed materials that give patients a step-by-step description, with images, of what to expect at the appointment.”

This is the fourth year for the seasonal vaccine clinic at the MIND Institute.

“We have a nearly 100% success rate in terms of people being vaccinated during their appointments in our clinic,” Harlan-Owens said. “We also have many families who come back year after year because the experience is so positive. It’s really rewarding to be part of this impactful clinic.”

COVID-19 vaccines

Children 6 months to 11 years old will get the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (the 2024-2025 version), a single component shot that corresponds to the Omicron variant XBB.1.5. For people ages 12 and older, the SPIKEVAX Moderna vaccine will be available.

Patients may receive initial vaccinations and additional doses.

Read more about the latest COVID vaccines.

Flu shots

The 2024-2025 flu shot is trivalent, which means it includes protection against three strains of flu virus. The CDC recommends an annual flu shot for most people 6 months and older.

Read more about this year’s flu shot from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

We have a nearly 100% success rate in terms of people being vaccinated during their appointments in our clinic. We also have many families who come back year after year because the experience is so positive.” —Katharine Harlan-Owens, program manager for PATH

Patients may get both the COVID and the flu shots in one appointment.

To schedule an appointment at the PATH vaccination clinic at the MIND Institute, call 916-703-5555.

COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinic

Who: Individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions and their siblings
Where: UC Davis MIND Institute, 2825 50th St., Sacramento
When: Fridays, through Dec. 20, from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
You do not need to be a UC Davis Health patient.
Call 916-703-5555 to make an appointment; no walk-ins allowed.

Related Resources:

The UC Davis MIND Institute in Sacramento, Calif. is a unique, interdisciplinary research, clinical, and education center committed to deepening scientific understanding of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. It is a highly collaborative center, bringing together families, researchers, clinicians, community leaders and volunteers with the common goal of developing more personalized, equitable, and scientifically proven systems of support and intervention. The institute has major research efforts in autism, fragile X syndrome, chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Down syndrome. More information about the institute and its Distinguished Lecturer Series, including previous presentations in this series, is available on the Web at https://health.ucdavis.edu/mind-institute/.