coronavirus

Fries and a Poke: These San Diego McDonald's Are Offers Free COVID-19 Vaccines and Menu Items

Those who get a vaccine will also receive a coupon for one free menu item, according to the company

McDonald's Logo
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San Diegans can now get a side of COVID-19 vaccine with their Big Mac.

McDonald's is partnering with the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) to offer free COVID-19 vaccinations at eight locations this week. More than 70 McDonald's across the state are participating.

The San Diego locations include restaurants in Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido, National City, Oceanside, Ramona, San Diego and Vista.

The pop-up clinics will offer vaccines to McDonald's employees, their families, and the general public at no cost, and no insurance is required, according to McDonald's. Walk-ups are welcomed.

"We want our own employees but we also want community members because we understand for a lot of people it's been difficult either to get an appointment or to work within their work schedule and this is a convenience," said Leslie Mannes, a McDonald's owner/operator in San Diego County.

At the El Cajon pop-up clinic on Tuesday, at least a dozen people had gotten their vaccines by noon. And a team of volunteers was ready to distribute more, Mannes said.

Those who get a vaccine at a McDonald's location -- either their first or second dose --will also receive a coupon for one free menu item, according to the company.

The HHSA said those who get vaccinated will also be entered to win a pair of San Diego Padres tickets.

Gary Johnston, COVID-19 incident commander for San Diego County, said it was part of their effort to reach more members of the community where they are.

"We're basically sunsetting a lot of our super stations and again, we're getting mobile," Johnston said. "We're getting out to where the hard-to-reach places are. We're getting out to the community with an expectation that will hopefully better inform everybody on the vaccine."

1.8 million of 3.3 million residents in the county are fully vaccinated, according to Johnston.

McDonald's Offering COVID-19 Vaccine in San Diego County

  • Ramona McDonald’s (1550 Main St., Ramona, CA 92065)
    June 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Johnson & Johnson/Janssen and Pfizer (for children 12 and up and second doses)
  • Vista McDonald’s (827 S. Santa Fe Ave., Vista, CA 92083)
    June 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
    Johnson & Johnson/Janssen and Pfizer (for children 12 and up and second doses)
  • El Cajon McDonald’s: 281 N. 2nd Street, El Cajon, CA 92021
    June 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Johnson & Johnson/Janssen and Pfizer (for children 12 and up and second doses)
  • Oceanside McDonald’s (1701 Oceanside Blvd., Oceanside, CA 92054)
    June 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pfizer
  • San Diego McDonald’s (2320 Roll Drive, San Diego CA 92154)
    June 23 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pfizer
  • Escondido McDonald’s (340 W Mission Ave, Escondido CA 92025)
    June 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Johnson & Johnson/Janssen and Pfizer (for children 12 and up and second doses)
  • National City McDonald’s (2140 Plaza Blvd., National City CA 92050)
    June 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Johnson & Johnson/Janssen and Pfizer (for children 12 and up and second doses)
  • Chula Vista McDonald’s (619 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA, 91910)
    Date to be Determined

For more information on the participating McDonald's restaurants, click here. Find a list of ongoing vaccination clinics, by day, on the county website here.

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