LVHN drive-thru flu vaccines coming in November

It’s time for flu shots. Lehigh Valley Health Network will hold its annual free, drive-thru flu vaccination clinic in November.

In its 23rd year, the event enables children and adults to get vaccinated for season flu without getting out of their cars and even if they don’t have insurance.

Shots will be distributed from 9a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday,Nov. 7, at Dorney Park in South Whitehall Township, and Sunday, Nov. 8, at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown.

People are urged to register and bring nonperishable food donations for area food banks. Anyone over 6 months old may participate.

The campaign has delivered about 180,000 flu shots over two decades and collected more than 140,000 pounds of food.

“Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever this year because it can reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization and death,” Dr. Alex Benjamin, LVHN’s chief infection control officer, said in a news release. “Getting a flu vaccine can also reduce the burden on the health care system responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and save medical resources for care of COVID19 patients.”

Benjamin said the vaccination clinic is not for people with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. To avoid exposing health care workers and others to the coronavirus, people already infected or experiencing symptoms should put off a flu vaccine until their isolation period is complete.

Last flu season, which officially ended in March, Pennsylvania recorded 131,000 seasonal flu cases, according to the state Health Department. Deaths totaled 198, including one child. Across the country, 188 children died from the flu, matching the highest recorded number of pediatric deaths during a regular flu season, according to Terry Burger, LVHN’s administrator for infection.

LVHN is partnering with the Allentown Health Bureau to offer online registration for the drive-thru clinic, though slots are not appointments.

Those reserving slots are asked to arrive any time during the reserved period. Participants also are asked to bring a signed consent form for each person getting a shot.

A vaccine information statement, consent form, link to registration and maps are available at lvhn.org/flushot.

At the drive-thru, masks are required, even in vehicles, for adults and children over 2 years old. People are asked to wear loose clothing so that shots can be administered easily in the arm, or for babies, in the leg.

In addition to food donations, which are options, diapers, personal hygiene products, coffee pods and wipes also are needed.