Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is furthering its partnership with first responders by offering first responders the COVID-19 vaccine. LVHN follows the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s phased approach to vaccination.

First Responders in Phase 1B as outlined by the Pennsylvania Department of Health:

• Law enforcement

• Fire/rescue personnel

• PA National Guard responders not included otherwise in Phase 1a

• Older Adult Protective Services, Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services

First responders can take these steps to schedule their COVID-19 vaccine appointment.

• Step 1: Sign up for MyLVHN – Those who are eligible to receive a vaccine based on the criteria above can schedule a COVID-19 vaccine. The first step is to create a MyLVHN account. Everyone with a MyLVHN account will automatically be preregistered for a COVID-19 vaccine. MyLVHN is a free, secure, easy-to-use patient portal that connects you with your personal health information. You do not need to be a current patient of LVHN, LVPG or Coordinated Health to open a MyLVHN account. Learn more at LVHN.org/MyLVHN.

• Step 2: Identify as an essential worker – Once you’ve logged into MyLVHN click on the menu button and select “COVID-19 Essential Worker Questionnaire.” You’ll be prompted to answer a few questions and click submit when finished.

• Step 3: Once you complete the form, you will be notified within TWO HOURS or less when you can schedule the date and location of your vaccination in MyLVHN -

Your appointment guarantees you will recve a vaccine. You can choose to receive a vaccination at any of these locations: Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest, LVH–Muhlenberg, LVH–Hazleton, LVH–Schuylkill E. Norwegian Street and LVH–Pocono.

One also can schedule an appointment by calling 484-884-1767.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective

LVHN is administering the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. While patients will not be able to choose which vaccine they will receive, both have been proven safe and effective. After providing two months of safety data from ongoing Phase 3 trials, Pfizer and Moderna were granted Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Data show that Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is 95 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 while Moderna’s vaccine has shown to be 94.5 percent effective.

Plan for vaccinating the rest of the community

The LVHN plan for administering COVID-19 vaccines is determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s phased approach to vaccination. To learn more about COVID-19 Vaccines, go to LVHN.org/Vaccines.

Contributed article