PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – Beginning Thursday, July 7, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) will begin offering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to those ages 6 to 17. This decision comes after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded its emergency use authorization of the Moderna vaccine for this age group. This was followed by approvals from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on June 23 and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on June 24, and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup on June 25.

“Long Beach is committed to ensuring these life-saving vaccines are accessible to everyone,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “With Moderna vaccines becoming available to our younger age groups, even more of our community will be able to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

Moderna Vaccine for Children Ages 6-11

• This vaccine will be a lower dose of the Moderna vaccine and will be administered as a two-dose series. The initial two doses are administered four to eight weeks apart.

Moderna Vaccine for Adolescents Ages 12-17

• This vaccine will be the same Moderna vaccine given to those ages 18 and older and will be administered as a two-dose series. The initial two doses are administered four to eight weeks apart.

The Moderna vaccine was first offered only to those who are 18 years of age or older. Recently, Moderna also began offering its vaccine for those ages 6 months to 5 years old.

The City continues to offer COVID-19 vaccines at the following vaccination sites:

• Long Beach City College, Pacific Coast Campus (Parking Lot 1, corner of Orange Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway)
  • Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.
  • Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• El Dorado Park West (2800 N. Studebaker Rd.)
  • Wednesdays in July, 3 to 6 p.m.
• Cabrillo High School (2100-2198 Monitor Ave.)
  • Fridays, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
  • Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Ramona Park (3301 E. 65th St.)
  • Mondays through Wednesdays, 1 to 5 p.m.
  • Thursdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to contact their health care provider to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines, now available to everyone 6 months old and older. Vaccines are safe and effective, having undergone rigorous safety monitoring. Parents and guardians are encouraged to sign their children up for V-Safe to share information with the CDC about how their child feels, post vaccine. It is recommended that any suspected adverse events following vaccination be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS). 

The Health Department continues to urge everyone to get vaccinated and boosted when eligible, as it remains the single best way to protect yourself and those around you against COVID-19. Vaccines are safe and effective in preventing COVID-19 infection and especially effective at preventing hospitalization, serious illness or death among breakthrough cases of the virus. To view the most up-to-date vaccine clinic schedule and to schedule an appointment, visit longbeach.gov/vaxLB or call 562.570.4636. People also can visit MyTurn.ca.gov to find vaccine appointments for the whole family.

For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep our residents safe, visit longbeach.gov/COVID19 and follow @LongBeachCity and @LBHealthDept on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. People may also visit longbeach.gov/COVID19data for up-to-date information regarding cases and vaccines in Long Beach.