Lehigh Valley Health Network

Pediatric flu shot clinics available

Cases of influenza are already rising throughout the area. Parents can protect their child with a free flu shot at one of Lehigh Valley Health Network’s pediatric flu shot clinics. The vaccine is available to children over the age of 6 months. No appointment is needed. Masks are still required at all LVHN health care facilities.

LVHN is offering several pediatric walk-in flu shot clinics. You do not need to be an LVHN patient, and no appointment is necessary. There also will be a limited supply of adult vaccines and vaccines for those 65 and older.

Those with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, regardless of symptoms, should postpone getting a flu shot until they have met the criteria to discontinue isolation. This protets health care professionals and others who are receiving their flu shot from contracting COVID-19.

For dates and locations, stay tuned to LVHN social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, as well as the LVHN blog at LVHN.org/healthy-you.

Hecktown Oaks now a trauma center

Lehigh Valley Hospital –Hecktown Oaks is now a Level IV Adult Trauma Center approved by the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation. It is the fifth Lehigh Valley Health Network hospital to receive trauma center accreditation.

Trauma centers treat patients injured in falls, motor vehicle crashes, industrial accidents and other situations that produce life-threatening injuries. Level IV centers provide enhanced care to emergency department patients and focus on stabilization and quick transfer to a higher-level trauma center.

“Achieving Level IV Trauma Center accreditation is a great milestone for this facility, which has been open for less than two years. We’re providing trauma care, close to home, when it’s needed most,” said trauma center President Luis Puentes.

LVH–Hecktown Oaks has a helipad. The trauma bay features specialized equipment along with the latest technology, including indigo lighting, which helps to prevent infections and hospital-acquired illnesses.