Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) will administer free influenza vaccinations for the 25th straight year for adults and children six months and older during two community sessions in November.

Shots will be all drive-through 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Nov. 5, Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, South Whitehall Townsihip, and 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Nov. 6, Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH) - Hecktown Oaks, Lower Nazareth Township.

For the past 24 years, LVHN’s community influenza vaccination campaign has administered more than 200,000 free flu shots and collected more than 156,000 pounds of food for area food banks.

“Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever this year because it can reduce the risk of illness, hospitalization, and death from the flu,” said Alex Benjamin, MD, LVHN’s Chief Infection Control Officer.

“This flu season may be more severe than in year’s past based on how influenza has been acting in other parts of the world. Like many respiratory illnesses, influenza can be spread by infected individuals who are not showing symptoms, and if we are not masking as often as we have in recent years, we could see increased transmission.

“Therefore, we strongly encourage everyone to make it their responsibility to get vaccinated,” Benjamin said.

Benjamin said routine vaccination should be deferred for persons 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 LVHN physicians, nurses and staff interacting with those in their vehicles and providing the shots.

LVHN is again partnering with area food banks and shelters to accept donations of unexpired, non-perishable food items during each of the drive-through 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 non-perishable.

In addition, volunteers will be collecting other items to assist those in need. The items include diapers, personal hygiene products, toothbrushes, 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, RN, LVHN 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.

“Anyone can get the flu and many health experts are predicting the flu season will be severe,” Burger said. “Australia, which experiences its flu season before ours, had its worst flu season in five years.”

Burger said even when the vaccine doesn’t exactly match the influenza viruses in a given year, it might still provide some protection. “Getting the vaccine remains the best way to protect yourself and those around you from getting the flu.”

Burger said vaccine supplies are abundant 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-through vaccination campaign are asked to abide by the following requests:

• Dress appropriately: loose-fitting clothing for the shot to be administered in the arm, and the leg of children under two-years-old.

• Review the vaccine information sheet and complete and bring the 2022-2023 consent form for each person to be vaccinated. Forms may be found at lvhn.org/flushot, or requested by calling 888-402-LVHN (5846).