Long Beach healthcare workers and emergency essential workers can now make an appointment to be vaccinated at one of the city’s COVID-19 vaccine clinics, officials said Monday.
The appointments are only for healthcare workers who work in Long Beach.
While those who live in Long Beach but work in a different city are not eligible at this time, the city in a statement said it is “committed to making sure all healthcare workers, whether they live or work in Long Beach, get their opportunity to get vaccinated.”
Health workers who have not received information from their employer by Jan. 19 should call 562-570-4636, option 6, and leave a message or email [email protected] for more information on how they can receive the vaccine.
“We are proud of our vaccination rollout and it’s heartening that the majority of our health care workers have already been vaccinated,” said Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. “Our new vaccine clinics will ensure that all Long Beach health care workers get vaccinated.”
People will need to provide proof of employment in Long Beach to receive their vaccines.
As of last week, an estimated 75% of the city’s essential healthcare workers had been vaccinated, officials said. Long Beach is also moving forward in its vaccinations for nursing home residents and staff.
The city this week was expected to begin the second phase, which includes teachers, grocery workers, people over 75 and others in emergency management. The city on Tuesday is expected to put out more information on the next phase, officials said.
“It will take time to widely distribute the COVID-19 vaccine but we’re following CDC and State guidelines and doing everything we can to streamline administration,” Kelly Colopy, director of the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, said in a statement. “We ask that everyone be patient, but I assure you everyone who needs a vaccine will get one.”
Since the first round of vaccines was administered Dec. 18, the city has administered 7,796 vaccines for healthcare workers at hospitals, paramedics, EMTs and others providing emergency medical services.
Additional details about the city’s vaccine rollout plan are available on the city’s website. The city urges individuals to be aware of COVID-19 vaccination scams and report suspicious activity.