No registration required for vaccinations at Dorney Park and LVH–Hecktown Oaks; food donations also will be accepted to support local food banks and shelters    

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. (Sept. 24, 2024) — Flu season is right around the corner, and Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) will administer free influenza vaccinations for the 27th straight year for adults and children ages 6 months and older during two drive-thru flu shot clinics in November. Vaccines will be administered at Dorney Park in Allentown on Saturday, Nov. 2, and Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Hecktown Oaks in Lower Nazareth Township on Sunday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

For the past 26 years, LVHN has administered more than 210,000 free flu shots through its annual community influenza vaccination campaign.

“Being vaccinated against influenza reduces the risk for illness, hospitalization and death from the flu,” says Alex Benjamin, MD, LVHN’s Chief of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. “Like many respiratory illnesses, influenza can be spread by infected individuals who are not showing symptoms, and since we are not masking as often as before, we could see increased transmission. Therefore, we strongly encourage everyone to make it their responsibility to get vaccinated.”

Everyone receiving a flu shot at either drive-thru location is asked to review the vaccine information statement and fill out a consent form by visiting LVHN.org/flushot. Please bring a completed and signed consent form for each person receiving a flu shot. There will be consent forms available at the drive-thru sessions if you do not have access to a printer.

In addition to the free vaccinations, LVHN is once again partnering with area food banks and shelters to accept donations of unexpired, nonperishable food items during each of the drive-thru sessions. While encouraged to support those in need, 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 non-perishable

Volunteers also will be collecting other items to assist those in need in our community. These include things like diapers, personal hygiene products (e.g., toothbrushes), coffee pods and disinfectant wipes. 

According to Terry Burger, RN, LVHN’s Administrator for Infection Control and Prevention, a standard dose of flu vaccine will be given to those 6 months to 64 years of age. Burger said those 65 and older will be offered the high-dose vaccine.

“Getting the vaccine remains the best way to protect yourself and those around you from getting the flu and possibly to prevent serious illness if you do get the flu,” Burger said.

Maps of the vaccination routes for Dorney Park and LVH–Hecktown Oaks are available at LVHN.org/flushot.

Those planning to receive a flu shot during LVHN’s November drive-thru vaccination clinics should wear loose-fitting clothing so the shot can be administered in the arm or the leg for children under 2 years of age.   

About Jefferson 
Lehigh Valley Health Network is now proudly part of Jefferson Health. Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the Greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow’s professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health, nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospitals and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years.    

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Brian Downs