PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has begun offering COVID-19 boosters for 12- to 15-year-olds and third doses to 5- to 11- year-old immuno-compromised children. Previously, boosters were only authorized for those 16 and older. The boosters administered will be Pfizer brand; Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines and boosters are still only eligible to those 18 and older.  

“The science tells us the Omicron variant is highly contagious and causing an unprecedented rise in cases,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Data also shows that being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and getting a booster can make symptoms much less severe and reduce the possibility of hospitalization. Right now, it’s as important as ever to make sure everyone in your household is vaccinated and boosted — and especially our youth.” 

The boosters will be available five months after an eligible person receives their second dose. People should consult their vaccine records and count forward five months from their second dose to see when they can receive the booster. In Long Beach, 6,720 12- to 15-year-olds completed the Pfizer two-dose series by August 7 and will be eligible. Third doses for moderately or severely immunocompromised children ages 5 to 11 should be administered 28 days after their second dose. All minors need parental consent in order to receive a COVID-19 vaccination; parents or guardians can give consent when making an appointment through My Turn. 

The City’s booster clinics have the capacity to administer boosters to all eligible people. Boosters also will be available at all City-run vaccine sites, which run six days per week and have both day and evening appointments available. Up-to-date schedules can be found at longbeach.gov/vaxlb or by calling 562.570.4636. Eligible people may also receive boosters through their healthcare provider or at the many local pharmacies administering the booster. 

The City of Long Beach has seen a steep rise in cases following the introduction of the Omicron variant. On Jan. 5, the City reported the highest number of cases in a single day since the pandemic began: 1,874.    

Hospitalizations have also increased, from 47 on Dec. 20 to 85 on Jan. 10 for Long Beach residents and from 51 on Dec. 20 to 271 on Jan. 9 at area hospitals. Despite the increase in hospitalizations, the number of those hospitalized remains well below the 263 Long Beach residents hospitalized during the winter surge that occurred at the beginning of 2021. Of those who are currently hospitalized, 70.6% are not fully vaccinated and 96.4% are not boosted, demonstrating the effectiveness of the initial vaccine series and boosters for reducing severe illness and hospitalizations. People can visit longbeach.gov/vaxlb for information regarding vaccinations.