With the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19 wreaking havoc in Los Angeles County, health officials are once again urging residents to get vaccinated against the virus.

And as COVID-19 cases continue ticking up in Long Beach, including confirmed cases of the delta variant, city officials are echoing the same message as their regional counterparts. To further incentivize residents into getting vaccinated, local leaders announced Wednesday that through Sept. 6 those who get their first COVID-19 vaccination can get a coupon for a free scoop of ice cream from Handel’s Ice Cream at the Long Beach Exchange. The promotion counts if you’re getting any of the available vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson).

This is the latest in the city’s incentive program as vaccinations have slowed. The city has given out Aquarium of the Pacific tickets and entered vaccinated people in drawings to win Nintendo Switches, Airpods and complimentary stays at local hotels.

And if you’re already vaccinated, county health officials are strongly recommending everyone wear masks in indoor public places, despite current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control.

Here’s how to get vaccinated in Long Beach:

  • You don’t need to make an appointment, but if you want one, make it at California’s vaccine portal MyTurn.ca.gov or by calling the state COVID-19 hotline at 833-422-4255.
  • The Long Beach Health Department has vaccination locations all over the city that are open at different times of the day and week. Find the full schedule of all the locations run by the city here. We’ll highlight a few below.
    • If you need to go after work, the Long Beach City College Pacific Coast Campus has evening vaccine clinics Monday through Friday, 5 to 8 p.m. (in addition to being open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) There’s also a community mobile clinic at 5200 Second St. on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m.
    • If you need to go at lunchtime, catch an appointment at the Convention Center vaccine clinic, which opens at noon Tuesday through Thursday and 11 a.m. on Fridays.
    • If you need to go on a Saturday, the Long Beach Convention Center is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There’s also a community mobile clinic at Houghton Park on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at Cabrillo High School on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • If you’ve already gotten your first shot with the Long Beach Health Department, be sure to bring your original vaccination record card given to you at your first dose. If you lost it, the record should be available in the state’s vaccine database.
  • You can also schedule an appointment or walk in at most local CVS Pharmacies. Find a location here. Some local Rite Aid Pharmacies also offer the vaccine. Find a location and schedule an appointment here. (The coupon for the free ice cream scoop is only available for city vaccine clinics, however).

If you need a reminder, use this Google Calendar template to remind you when you wanted to go get vaccinated (be sure to change the date, time and location to the one that best suits your schedule).

In addition to the plethora of consistent vaccination clinics at the Convention Center, LBCC and mobile clinics, there’s also several upcoming special clinics run by the city’s health department.

  • Tuesday, July 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McDonald’s on 2599 Long Beach Blvd.
  • Wednesday, July 7 and July 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Thursday, July 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Heartwell Park on 5801 E. Parkcrest St.
  • Saturday, July 10 and July 31, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Junipero Beach on 1 Junipero Ave.
  • Sunday, July 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Lucy’s Catholic Church on 2301 Santa Fe Ave.
  • Wednesday, July 14, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at El Dorado Park on 7550 E. Spring St.
  • Saturday, July 17, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Recreation Park on 4900 E. Seventh St.
  • Wednesday, July 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Thursday, July 8 and July 29, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Colorado Lagoon on 5200 E. Eliot St.
  • Saturday, July 24, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Belmont Pool on 4320 E. Olympic Plaza.

County health officials ‘strongly’ recommend wearing masks, even for those who are vaccinated

Valerie Osier is the Social Media & Newsletter Manager for the Long Beach Post. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @ValerieOsier