LVHN offers free drive-thru flu shots
Lehigh Valley Health Network will administer free influenza vaccinations for adults and children six months and older during two community sessions in November. Shots will be all drive-thru at Dorney Park in Allentown on Nov. 5, and Lehigh Valley Hospital—Hecktown Oaks in Lower Nazareth Township on Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
Routine vaccination should be deferred for people with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, regardless of symptoms, until they have met criteria to discontinue isolation. While having a mild illness is not a contraindication to vaccination, visits for these individuals should be postponed to avoid exposing health care personnel and other patients to the coronavirus.
Adults and children in the vehicle will not be required to wear a face covering while being vaccinated. Masks will be required for all LVHN physicians, nurses and staff interacting with those in their vehicles and providing the shots.
Again, this year LVHN is partnering with area food banks and shelters to accept donations of unexpired, nonperishable food items during each of the drive-thru sessions. Food donations are optional and not required to receive a shot. Those who choose to donate food are urged to check the expiration date and only bring items that have not expired and are nonperishable.
In addition, volunteers will be collecting other items to assist those in need in our community. These include things such as diapers, personal hygiene products —toothbrushes, for example — coffee pods and disinfectant wipes.
A vaccine information statement, consent form and map of the vaccination route for Dorney Park and LVH— Hecktown Oaks are available at lvhn. org/flushot. Bring a completed and signed 2022-2023 consent form for each individual receiving a flu shot.
According to Terry Burger, LVHN’s administrator for infection control and prevention, a standard dose of flu vaccine will be given to those six months to 64 years of age. Burger said those 65 and older will be offered the senior vaccine.
Those planning to receive a flu shot during LVHN’s November drive-thru vaccination campaign are asked to abide by the following requests:
· Review the vaccine information sheet and complete and bring the 20222023 consent form for each person to be vaccinated. Forms may be found at lvhn.org/flushot, or requested by calling 888-402-LVHN (5846).
Dress appropriately — loose-fitting clothing for the shot to be administered in the arm, and the leg of children under 2 years old.