LVHN

Lehigh Valley Health Network will administer free seasonal flu vaccinations for adults and children six months and older during two community sessions in November. Shots will be all drive-thru at Dorney Park Nov. 5 and at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown Nov. 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Once again this year, LVHN is partnering with area food banks and shelters including the Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley, Allentown Rescue Mission, Transitional Living Center Program and the AIDS Activities Office food pantry to accept donations of unexpired, non-perishable 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 which have not expired and are non-perishable.

LVHN will partner with the Allentown Health Bureau to offer online registration again this year. Slots are available for either the morning or afternoon sessions both Saturday and Sunday. Slots are not appointments so those reserving times may arrive at any time during the reserved time period. A vaccine information statement, consent form, link to online registration and maps of both locations are available at lvhn.org/flushot. Be sure to print and bring the 2016-2017 consent form with you to receive the flu shot.

According to Terry Burger, R.N., LVHN’s director of infection control and prevention, quadrivalent flu vaccine will be given this year to those six months to 64 years of age. It will protect against four different flu strains, two influenza Type A strains and two influenza Type B strains. Burger said those 65 and older will receive the trivalent high-dose vaccine.

“The elderly generally have weaker immune systems, which puts them at greater risk of severe illness from influenza,” Burger said. “Also, aging lowers the body’s ability to fight off the flu even with the vaccine. So a higher dose is supposed to stimulate a more effective immune response for those 65 and older and therefore, better protection against the flu.”

Burger said vaccine supplies are expected to be plentiful this year and so the public should not be concerned about being able to get a shot.

Those planning to receive a flu shot during LVHN’s November drive-thru vaccinations are asked to abide by the following requests:

·Access a vaccine information sheet and 2016-2017 consent form for each person to be vaccinated at lvhn.org/flushot or request forms by calling 610-402-CARE (2273).

·Complete the consent form and bring it with you when you get vaccinated.

·Dress appropriately – loose-fitting clothing for the shot to be administered in the arm and the leg of children less than two years old.