LVHN

Lehigh Valley Health Network will administer free seasonal flu vaccinations for the 20th straight year for adults and children six months and older during two community sessions in November. Shots will be all drive-thru at Dorney Park Nov. 4 and at Coca-Cola Park Nov. 5. Shots will be offered 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

LVHN is again 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 dates and bring items that have not expired.

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.

A completed and signed 2017-2018 consent form is required for each individual receiving a flu shot in the two-day campaign.

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. The shot 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 be offered the trivalent high-dose vaccine.

Those planning to receive a flu shot during the November drive-thru vaccination campaign are asked to abide by the following requests:

•Review the vaccine information sheet and complete and bring the 2017-2018 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 two years old.