Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) will administer free influenza vaccinations for the 24th straight year for adults and children six months and older during two drive-through sessions, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Nov. 6 and 7, Coca-Cola Park, Allentown.

LVHN is adding a third day, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Nov. 13, at Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH) - Hecktown Oaks, Lower Nazareth Township. It’s the first time LVHN has conducted drive-through flu vaccinations at the Oaks hospital, which opened in June.

LVHN’s long-time drive-through vaccination partner, Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, cannot participate this year because of its extended operating season.

Shots will be given to adults and children six months and older.

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, adults and children age two and older in the vehicle will be required to wear a face covering as will all those working at the vaccination clinic.

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

• Review the vaccine information sheet and complete and bring the 2021-2022 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 with loose-fitting clothing for the shot to be administered in the arm, and the leg of children under two-years-old.

“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 of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. “Getting a flu vaccine can also reduce the burden on the healthcare system that continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Benjamin said routine vaccination should be deferred for people 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.

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,” 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.

Again, this year LVHN is 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.

In addition, volunteers will be collecting other items to assist those in need. These include diapers, personal hygiene products (toothbrushes, for example), coffee pods and disinfectant wipes.

For the past 23 years, LVHN’s community influenza vaccination campaign has administered nearly 188,000 free flu shots and collected more than 152,000 pounds of food for area food banks.