Getting your first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination in Long Beach will now get you a chance to win Apple AirPods or a two-night stay in a local hotel as city health officials continue to try to increase vaccination numbers.
The city announced Monday that people getting vaccinated at a city-run vaccine site will be eligible for a daily drawing where winners will be able to choose between the hotel stay or AirPods. Last week, the city held a daily lottery for the chance to win a Nintendo Switch or a hotel stay.
Hotels participating in this week’s promotion are the Courtyard Long Beach Downtown, Golden Sails Hotel, Hyatt Regency Long Beach, Hyatt Centric Long Beach, Residence Inn in Downtown and the Holiday Inn Long Beach Airport.
A city spokesman said last week that two names would be drawn daily.
Last week’s incentives resulted in 701 first doses being administered through Friday. The city’s promotion ran through Saturday but that data has not been updated on the city’s website. The previous offer of two free tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific for first doses resulted in 1,028 first doses being administered, according to city data.
The city has vaccinated nearly 63% of residents over 16.
Incentives to boost the vaccination rate have become more common in recent weeks as agencies across the country have offered everything from free doughnuts and concerts to pre-paid debit cards and sporting event tickets. Los Angeles County health officials announced last week that it would be holding a lottery for season tickets for the Los Angeles Lakers.
New clinic opening
The city also announced Monday that it is opening an evening vaccine clinic at the Long Beach City College Pacific Coast Campus located at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Orange Avenue.
The LBCC clinic will be open weekdays from 5 to 8 p.m. and will have the capacity to administer 300 shots per night. Those shots will be available through appointments and for walk-ups.
Here are the locations of city-run vaccine sites with their operating hours:
- Long Beach Convention Center 300 E. Ocean Blvd. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m
- Admiral Kidd Park 2125 Santa Fe Ave. Monday 1 to 5 p.m., Thursday 9 to 11 a.m.
- McArthur Park 1321 E. Anaheim St. Tuesday 1 to 5 p.m., Friday 9 to 11 a.m.
- Houghton Park 6301 Myrtle Ave. Wednesday 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 to 11 a.m.
- Cabrillo High School 2001 Santa Fe Ave. Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Grant Elementary School 1225 E. 64th St. Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Washington Middle School 1450 Cedar Ave. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.