Long Beach is hosting a series of free flu shot clinics as flu season begins
There are ten scheduled clinics where residents can get free flu shots this month including one spooky event where costumes are encouraged.
With flu season officially starting in the United States, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services is offering free flu vaccines at a series of community clinics in October including a spooky vaccination event where the department hopes people will say “Boo to Flu.”
The largest clinic being hosted this year is scheduled for Oct. 17 at the health department headquarters in East Long Beach. People getting vaccinated at that event are encouraged to dress up in a Halloween costume to match the theme of this year’s event; Boo 2 Flu.
Last year, Long Beach reported nearly 1,600 confirmed cases of influenza during the respiratory season, which runs from October through September.
Nine people died after contracting the flu last year but a memo from the department notes that the true number of cases was likely higher because not everyone who contracts the flu goes to the doctor or gets tested.
A memo from the health department said that one person over the age of 65 has already died this year from the flu. The department recommends that everyone over six months old get the flu vaccine annually.
Last year’s flu season in Los Angeles County peaked in late December with flu positivity rates staying elevated through February, according to county data. The United States Centers for Disease Control forecasts a similar flu season this year.
The first free clinic takes place Thursday, Oct. 3 at Ramona Park from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. where people can receive a flu shot without an appointment. While appointments are not necessary, they can be made through the MyTurn website.
All clinics will offer drive-up service for those who are unable to leave their vehicles, according to the city website.
Here’s a list of the other scheduled clinics across the city:
Thursday, Oct. 3, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Ramona Park (3301 E. 65th St.)
Tuesday, Oct. 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.)
Wednesday, Oct. 9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Silverado Park (1545 W. 31st St.)
Friday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. MacArthur Park (1321 E. Anaheim St.)
Tuesday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. El Dorado Park (2800 N. Studebaker Rd.)
Friday, Oct. 18, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.)
Tuesday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Long Beach Senior Center (1150 E. 4th St.)
Friday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. McBride Park (1550 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.)
Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2 p.m. 6 p.m. Admiral Kidd Park (2125 Santa Fe. Ave.)
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