Health & Human services

The best way to prevent flu is to get vaccinated. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season. Flu vaccination has important benefits – it can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. 

Need your annual flu vaccine? Schedule your appointment today!

Free Flu Vaccination Clinics

Boo 2 Flu Event Flyer: English | Spanish | Tagalog | Khmer

The Health Department is offering free flu vaccinations at community clinics throughout the flu season, while supplies last. Appointments will not be required for those seeking vaccines at these locations. Residents are strongly encouraged to get a flu vaccine in preparation for the coming flu season, which generally runs from mid-fall to mid-spring.  

The largest clinic of the year will take place from 2 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Main Health (2525 Grand Ave). This year's theme is “Boo 2 Flu”, and people of all ages are encouraged to dress up in a costume and show off their spooky spirit! The clinic will be walk-up clinic, with no appointments required; however, people may also schedule appointments through MyTurn.ca.gov. Accessible services will be available, including a drive-up option for those with disabilities to receive vaccinations in their vehicles. 

In addition to the large-scale flu clinic at Main Health, flu vaccines will be available throughout the flu season at several community clinics. These clinics will be walk-up as well, with no appointments necessary. A tentative schedule is as follows:

Additional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the flu?

  Flu is an upper respiratory illness caused by a virus. Symptoms of flu can include fever, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, body aches, chills and fatigue. Flu is not the same as a bad cold. It can be dangerous. Flu can cause high fever and pneumonia, and make medical conditions worse.

  In the United States, about 36,000 people (mostly over the age of 65) die each year from the flu.

• How does the Flu spread?

  The flu is spread from person to person through coughs and sneezes. Sometimes people get the flu by touching something with the flu virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes. This can happen at home, work, church or school -- anywhere that we share close space or touch the same things, like chairs and tables, doors, and shopping carts.

• What should I do if I become ill?

  • Stay home.
  • Avoid contact with others.
  • Wait 24 hours after your fever has gone away before going out.
  • Get lots of rest.
  • Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
  • When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue, or with your upper sleeve or the inside of your elbow.
  • Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
  • Wash your hands often.
  If you get sick with flu, antiviral drugs may be a treatment option. Check with your doctor promptly if you are at high risk of serious flu complications and you get flu symptoms.  People at high risk of flu complications include young children, adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease. 
  When used for treatment, antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by 1 or 2 days. They also can prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia. For people at high risk of serious flu complications, treatment with antiviral drugs can mean the difference between milder or more serious illness possibly resulting in a hospital stay. 
  
  

• Who should get the flu vaccine?

  Everyone over 6 months old should get the flu vaccine each year. It is especially important for people who are more likely to get sick, and those who can spread the virus to others. This includes children between 6 months and 5 years old (especially children younger than 2); adults over 65; pregnant women; people with chronic medical conditions including diabetes, asthma, heart disease, cancer, and HIV; people who live in nursing homes; and health care workers. Those who live with or care for children less than 6 months of age should also get the vaccine.

  Certain people should talk with a doctor before getting a flu vaccine. This includes people who have had a severe allergic reaction to eggs or to a previous flu vaccine; people who have had Guillain-Barre Syndrome; or anyone who has a fever.

• I got a flu vaccine a year ago. Do I still need another one?

  Yes. The flu vaccine changes every year, to protect against new flu viruses that are expected. Last year's vaccine may not protect against this year's viruses.

Flu Reports

• 2023-2024 Season

  March: 2 | 9 | 16 | 23 | 30
  February: 3 | 10 | 17 | 24
  January: 6 | 13| 20 | 27
  December: 2 | 9 | 16 | 23 | 30
  November: 11 | 25
  
  Final Report
  
  Reports are archived by week ending date

• 2022-2023 Season

  April: 1 | 8 | 15 | 22 | 29
  March: 4 | 11 | 18 | 25
  February: 4 | 11 | 18 | 25
  January: 7 | 14 | 21 | 28
  December: 3 | 10 | 17 | 24 | 31
  November: 5 | 12 | 19 | 26
  
  Reports are archived by week ending date 

• 2021-2022 Season

  July: 2 
  June: 4 | 11 | 18 | 25 
  May: 7 | 14 | 21 | 28 
  April: 2 | 9 | 16 | 23 | 30 
  March: 5 | 12 | 19 | 26 
  February: 5 | 12 | 19 | 26 
  January: 1 | 8 | 15 | 22 | 29 
  December: 4 | 11 | 25 
  November: 20 | 27  
  
  Final Report 
  
  Reports are archived by week ending date 

• 2020-2021 Season

  No reports were created for the 2020-2021 Influenza Season. Although there was an increase in Influenza surveillance during this time, due to the infection control measures (ex: Stay at Home Orders, and Masking Orders) that were put in place for the COVID-19 pandemic, there was very minimal activity reported in Long Beach. 

• 2019-2020 Season

  February: 8 | 22 
  January: 4 | 11 | 18 | 25 
  December: 7 | 14 | 21 |  28 
  November: 9 | 23 
  
  Final Report 
  
  Reports are archived by week ending date 

• 2018-2019 Season

  April:  6 | 13 | 20 | 27 
  March: 2 | 9 | 17 | 23 | 30  
  February: 2 | 9 | 16 | 23 
  
  Final Report 
  
  Reports are archived by week ending date