LVHN Offers Free Pediatric Flu Shots Throughout the Region

New dates added to schedule

By Hannah Ropp

November 11, 2022

Cases of influenza are already rising throughout the area. You can protect your child with a free flu shot at one of Lehigh Valley Health Network’s (LVHN) 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.

“One of the best ways to protect yourself and your children from influenza is to get vaccinated. Early data suggest that this year’s flu vaccine should be protective against the predominant circulating influenza strains,” says pediatrician Debra Carter, MD, Executive Vice Chair, Pediatrics, LVHN.

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

“The practices we were using to prevent COVID-19 were very effective in preventing the flu and other respiratory illnesses as well. Now there is a whole group of older children who have not been exposed to the flu, so it’s important to get them vaccinated. Getting older children vaccinated will also protect younger siblings.” Tibisay Villalobos, MD

Why get the flu shot?

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 in the last few years.

“Anyone can get the flu. Based on the rising number of flu cases this early in the season, across the nation and right here in Pennsylvania, we know this is going to be a severe flu season,” Burger says.

According to pediatric infectious diseases physician Tibisay Villalobos, MD, with Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, the flu vaccine is especially important for children under 3 and those children with medical conditions. “The practices we were using to prevent COVID-19 were very effective in preventing the flu and other respiratory illnesses as well. Now there is a whole group of older children who have not been exposed to the flu, so it’s important to get them vaccinated. Getting older children vaccinated will also protect younger siblings,” she says.

Flu shot clinic schedule

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.

Sunday, Nov. 13 | 8 a.m.-noon

Health Center at Fogelsville
First Floor Conference Room
1431 Nursery St.
Fogelsville, Pa.

Monday, Nov. 14 | 3-6 p.m.

Health Center at Trexlertown
Conference Room
6900 Hamilton Blvd.
Trexlertown, Pa.

Monday, Nov. 14 | 3-6 p.m.

Health Center at Palmer Township
First Floor Conference Rooms
3701 Corriere Road
Easton, Pa.

Tuesday, Nov. 15 | 3-7 p.m.

Lehigh Valley Hospital–17th Street
Cafeteria, First Floor
1627 W. Chew St.
Allentown, Pa.

Wednesday, Nov. 16 | 3-6 p.m.

Health Center at Richland Township Suite 4
320 West Pumping Station Road
Quakertown, Pa.

Sunday, Nov. 20 | 8 a.m.-noon

Health Center at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Carbon
First Floor Conference Room
2226 Blakeslee Blvd. Drive East
Lehighton, Pa.