COVID-19 Vaccines Now Available at LVHN ExpressCARE Locations

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Starting Oct. 18, all Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) ExpressCARE locations are offering Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccinations for most people, 12 and older. No appointment is needed.

By providing access to COVID-19 vaccination at ExpressCARE, LVHN is expanding availability for people throughout the community.

Most people 12 and older can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at ExpressCARE. One exception is people 12-18 who have Medicaid coverage. ExpressCARE is not a Vaccines for Children (VFC) provider, so children in that population cannot get their shot at ExpressCARE. However, all LVPG Family Medicine and LVPG Pediatrics locations are VFC providers, and families can schedule vaccines with their child’s primary care office.

Neither ExpressCARE nor Children’s ExpressCARE will provide COVID vaccinations to children under 12. Parents and guardians of children younger than 12 will need to make an appointment with their child’s primary care office for a COVID vaccination.

ExpressCARE is open year-round and provides care for minor illnesses and injuries. There are 20 ExpressCARE locations throughout the region. Find an ExpressCARE near you, as well as check wait times, by visiting LVHN.org/expresscare.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months and older get an updated monovalent COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness this fall and winter. Vaccination is intended to reduce risk for severe disease, hospitalization and death following infection with COVID. Recent data presented by the CDC indicates the COVID vaccine results in a lower likelihood of developing long COVID-19.

The new monovalent COVID-19 vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech (as well as Moderna) are designed to provide more focused protection against newer strains of the virus, including XBB.1.5, a more recent descendent of the omicron variant.

Insurance will cover the cost of the vaccine, though an administration fee could apply in some cases. Please check with your insurance carrier for coverage information. The CDC has a Bridge Access Program for uninsured and underinsured adults.

LVPG Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics practices offer Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines by appointment. Please call your primary care doctor’s office to schedule.

If you have any questions concerning COVID-19 vaccination scheduling, call 888-402-LVHN (5846).

Many pharmacy chains and independent pharmacies are offering COVID-19 vaccinations.

The CDC recommends the following if it’s been at least two months since you received the older, bivalent COVID vaccine:

• Those 5 and older should receive one dose of the 2023-24 mRNA COVID vaccine.
• Children age 6 months through 4 years will need one dose if previously vaccinated. Children 6 months through 4 years with no prior COVID vaccination will receive a series of two (Moderna) or three (Pfizer-BioNTech) doses.
• People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should discuss vaccination strategies with their doctor. The number of doses recommended will depend on prior vaccination status and age.

The CDC says you can wait at least three months after having COVID-19 illness. Check with your primary care doctor for guidance on when you should schedule your COVID vaccine after you have recovered from COVID illness.