46 SoCal McDonald's Offer Free Vaccinations And A Meal

LOS ANGELES, CA — Southland residents who haven't been vaccinated can snag a free Big Mac and their first coronavirus vaccine dose at McDonald's, officials announced this week.

The fast-food giant partnered with the California Department of Public Health to offer free coronavirus vaccinations at more than 70 locations, including 46 McDonald's stores in Southern California.

Here's a list of the relevant McDonald's locations in Southern California.

Pop-up clinics opened Monday at select McDonald's restaurants where vaccines will be offered to employees, their family members and the general public for free, the chain said in a statement.

Those who receive a vaccine at a participating store will also get a coupon for one menu item "as a thank you for doing their part," McDonald's officials said.

No appointments or health insurance were required, and walk-ups will be welcomed at participating locations as long as supplies last.

More than 70 percent of Californians 12 and older have received at least one shot of a coronavirus vaccine, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday. About half of California's population has been fully vaccinated. But the state and nation are pushing for more Americans to get vaccinated as the U.S. reopens.

The White House on Tuesday said the country would fall short of President Joe Biden's July 4th vaccination goals. Biden's administration had set a goal of 70 percent of adult Americans receiving at least one coronavirus shot and 160 million Americans being fully vaccinated by that date.

More than 150 million Americans, or 45.2 percent, are fully vaccinated, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

California has shelled out incentive after incentive this month, giving away more than $116.5 million in "Vax for the Win" lottery prizes to vaccinated residents. The governor last week also offered free Six Flags admission tickets to the next 50,000 Californians who became vaccinated.

"We are mindful and sober that we need to continue to encourage people to get vaccinated," he said last week.

The state officially reopened after Californians endured 15 months of some of the tightest coronavirus restrictions in the country. Capacity limits were lifted on businesses, and mask mandates were, for the most part, also lifted.

The state also threw out its stringent reopening blueprint. "Finally we are here, June 15, to turn the page to move beyond capacity limits to move beyond the color-coding, move beyond social distancing and physical distancing," Newsom said last week. "And, yes, as you saw me walk up the stage, move beyond face coverings and move beyond wearing these masks."