Long Beach will begin vaccinating people with physical or developmental disabilities Monday, making it one of the first health jurisdictions in California to do so.
Starting March 8, any Long Beach resident with a documented disability can show up at the Long Beach Convention Center between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., no appointment needed.
People should bring proof that they live in Long Beach, such as a utility bill, and documentation of their disability, such as a placard or doctor’s note.
Though Gov. Gavin Newsom said while visiting Long Beach earlier this week that the city would not yet be able to move to vaccinating people in later tiers before the state expands eligibility groups, city officials said Friday they received permission from the state to move forward ahead of a planned March 15 statewide rollout for disabled people.
An estimated 46,000 people in Long Beach have disabilities, according to a 2017 city report, making it the second largest group to become eligible behind seniors over 65.
The city said to date it has vaccinated roughly 35,000 seniors over 65, or about 66% of the older adult population. They said 16% of the total population has now been vaccinated, or 20% not including people too young to receive it.
Other groups that are currently eligible include food workers, health care workers and educators.