Long Beach Health Department to Offer Free Flu Vaccinations at Community Clinics

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PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) will offer free flu vaccinations at community clinics throughout

October. The Health Department reminds residents that one of the best ways to protect against flu is to get a flu vaccine each year. Residents are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated ahead of respiratory virus season, which typically runs from November through March. People ages 6 months and older are eligible to receive a flu vaccine.

"Don't let the flu be the scariest part of the Halloween season," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "I encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated early, before the flu begins spreading widely in our community. Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect yourself and those around you from the flu."

The Health Department supports the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) immunization recommendations for flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for the 2026-27 respiratory virus season. These recommendations are informed by guidance from trusted medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

The recommendations emphasize the importance of protecting people at a higher risk of serious illness from these viruses, including children, older adults and people who are pregnant, as well as people who live or work with people at higher risk.

The largest flu vaccination clinic of the season, "Say Boo 2 Flu", will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, at the Main Health Facility (2525 Grand Ave.). The "Say Boo 2 Flu" event will offer drive-through vaccinations, allowing people six months and older to receive a flu shot without leaving their vehicles. Accommodations for people with access and functional needs and those planning to arrive by public transportation will be available upon request. Appointments are not required for the "Say Boo 2 Flu" event. Attendees may embrace the Halloween spirit by arriving in costume.

In addition to providing free flu vaccinations to the public, the vaccination clinics serve as annual training exercises that support the City's medical countermeasures preparedness efforts. The clinics help refine logistics, strengthen interdepartmental coordination and enhance emergency response strategies. These exercises are an important part of the City's ongoing public health preparedness efforts.

The following flu vaccines clinics will be available for residents throughout October:

• Wednesday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., McBride Park Community Center, Social Hall (1550 Martin Luther King Jr Ave.)
• Thursday, Oct. 8, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., MacArthur Park Theater Center (1321 E. Anaheim St.)
• Tuesday, Oct. 13, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., El Dorado Park West Teen Center (2800 N Studebaker Rd.)
• Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.)
• Thursday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Long Beach Senior Center, Social Hall (1150 E. 4th St.)
• Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe Ave.)
• Wednesday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Silverado Park Community Center, Main Hall (1545 W. 31st St.)
• Thursday, Oct. 22, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Michelle Obama Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.)
• Tuesday, Oct. 27, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Harte Library (1595 W. Willow St.)
• Wednesday, Oct 28. 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Burnett Library (560 E. Hill St.)

To check for any updates to the clinic schedule, please visit longbeach.gov/flu. Residents can also receive a flu vaccine through their health care provider, pharmacy or by visiting MyTurn.ca.gov. To schedule a vaccination at the Health Department, residents call 562.570.7912 during business hours. A small administrative fee may apply.

During the 2025-26 respiratory virus season, there were approximately 2,500 laboratory-confirmed flu cases and eight flu-related deaths reported in Long Beach. The flu vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect people, their loved ones and the community.

"Even if the vaccine doesn't prevent all flu infections, it can significantly reduce the severity of illness and the likelihood of hospitalization or death," said Dr. Cliff Okada, City Health Officer. "By getting vaccinated and practicing healthy habits such as washing your hands and staying home when sick, you can help protect yourself and our community."

Flu symptoms generally include fever, chills, body aches and coughing. For some people, the flu can be life-threatening. People at higher risk of serious illness from flu include:

• Infants six months of age and older
• Older adults ages 65 and over
• People who are pregnant
• Caregivers of infants or older adults
• People with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, asthma or other chronic lung diseases, heart disease or kidney disease
• People with compromised immune system, including people receiving cancer treatment and people with living with HIV.

The Health Department encourages residents to practice the following healthy habits to help reduce the risk of catching or spreading the flu:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home from work, school, or public activities when feeling unwell.
• Cover the mouth and nose with a tissue or an elbow when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, which can transfer germs.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, especially if someone is ill.
• People diagnosed with flu should take antiviral medications as prescribed by their health care provider to help reduce the severity and duration of illness.

The community clinics are supported through funding from the California Department of Public Health. This funding includes the flu vaccines provided at the clinics. In addition to providing free flu vaccinations to the community, the clinics support the City's ongoing medical countermeasures preparedness and emergency response efforts.

For more information about the 2026 respiratory virus season, the community is encouraged to visit longbeach.gov/flu or call the Immunization Clinic at 562.570.7912.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about the Long Beach Health Department is available at longbeach.gov/health and on Instagram, Facebook and X.

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