LVHN Offers Free Flu Shots at Clinics Throughout the Region

Flu season is right around the corner and Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is offering you a convenient and free way to protect yourself and your family with a variety of drive-thru and walk-in flu shot clinics throughout the region. For the past 25 years, LVHN has administered nearly 200,000 free flu shots through its annual community influenza vaccination campaign.

“Flu vaccines are extremely important. They reduce the risk for severe illness, hospitalization and even death from the flu,” says Alex Benjamin, MD, LVHN Chief of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.

Benjamin says people 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 protects health care professionals and others who are receiving their flu shot from contracting COVID-19.

At drive-thru clinics, adults and children in the vehicle will not be required to wear a face covering while being vaccinated. Masks will be required for all LVHN physicians, nurses and staff while interacting and providing vaccinations to people in vehicles.

Although the flu has been largely overshadowed by COVID-19 in recent years, Terry Burger, RN, LVHN Administrator for Infection Control and Prevention, says public health officials expect to see more flu cases than the last few years.

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

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

A standard dose of flu vaccine will be given to those 6 months to 64 years of age. Those 65 and older will be offered the senior vaccine.

LVHN is offering several free drive-thru and walk-in flu shot clinics. A vaccine information statement, consent form and map of the vaccination routes for Health and Wellness Center at Hazleton, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom and Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Hecktown Oaks are available here.

Please bring a completed and signed consent form for each individual receiving a flu shot.  

Flu vaccine consent form and vaccine information sheet
Flu vaccine consent form and vaccine information sheet in Spanish

Again this year, LVHN is partnering with area food banks and shelters to accept donations of unexpired, nonperishable food items during the drive-thru flu clinics at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom and LVH–Hecktown Oaks. 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 nonperishable.                                                                                               

LVHN drive-thru flu shot clinic at Health & Wellness Center at Hazleton

Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022
11 a.m.–3 p.m.
50 Moisey Drive, Hazleton, PA

LVHN walk-in flu shot clinic at Fairlane Mall (part of Diakon Expo)

Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
7211 Pottsville St. Clair Highway, Pottsville, PA

LVHN drive-thru flu shot clinic at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom

Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
3830 Dorney Park Road, Allentown, PA

LVHN drive-thru flu shot clinic at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hecktown Oaks

Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
3780 Hecktown Road, Easton, PA