Department of
Health & Human Services

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has made great progress in addressing mpox since the first local case was reported on July 16, 2022. A comprehensive approach including vaccination, outreach in the community and other public health response efforts have contributed to a significant decline in new cases.

“I want to thank the Health Department for their vigilance and hard work in slowing the spread of mpox,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “We continue to urge everyone, especially those who are at high risk, to take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones.” 

To date, there have been 126 confirmed and probable cases of mpox in Long Beach. At least 3 have required hospitalization, and all others are either isolating and recovering at home or have recovered. Weekly cases have decreased from 18 cases reported for the week of Aug. 20 to 0 cases reported for the week of Dec. 17.

Mpox vaccine is offered five days a week at the Long Beach City College, Pacific Coast Campus (PCC) clinic; the Health Department also works closely with health care providers. In addition, numerous mobile vaccine clinics have been offered throughout the city to meet the community where they are and provide equitable distribution of the vaccine.

The City now offers mpox vaccine to all who wish to receive it, with vaccine priority given to those at higher risk. The mpox vaccination site at Long Beach City College, Pacific Coast Campus, located at Parking Lot 1 on the corner of Orange Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway, offers appointments and non-appointments on the following days and times:

• Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. 
• Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

To date, more than 9,250 mpox vaccine doses have been administered in the city. To make an appointment for mpox vaccine and to view the most up-to-date vaccine prioritization, visit longbeach.gov/mpx.

The Health Department has engaged several partners to provide outreach, education and vaccine clinics to the community, especially for those at higher risk. The Department has established close partnerships with health care providers, LGBTQ+ groups including AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), APLA Health, Long Beach Comprehensive Health Center, St. Mary's CARE Clinic and the LGBTQ Center, schools, early childhood education providers and homeless services to monitor the situation, share information and resources, and provide vaccine and other critical support for those impacted. The department also has partnered with several organizations for mobile clinics, including The Falcon and Falcon North bars, The LGBTQ Center Long Beach, Bienestar Human Services and Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (L.A. CADA) as well as at Trans Pride Long Beach and the Transgender Empowerment Career Fair.

To decrease transmission of mpox in the community, people must continue to take steps to protect themselves. Avoid skin-to-skin or prolonged face-to-face contact with anyone who has symptoms; do not share materials such as bedding, towels, clothing, utensils or cups with someone who has symptoms; ask intimate and other sexual partners about symptoms; practice safer sex (such as reducing the number of sexual partners); keep hands clean and maintain respiratory etiquette.  

To stay up-to-date on mpox and avoid misinformation, people are encouraged to visit longbeach.gov/mpox or visit the Health Department’s social media pages @LBHealthDept and follow the hashtag #mpoxLB.