We Are Family: Vaccine Clinic Brings Vaccines to Hazleton

Leslie and Luis Martinez, siblings, and their cousins Sara and Ana Roche came to the LVHN mobile school vaccine clinic at Hazleton Area High School as a family because they wanted to protect others from COVID-19, especially elderly family members. Cristian Peralta, the father of 11-year-old Leslie and 8-year-old Luis, says, “As parents, we are responsible to protect our children.”

Family was the common theme when parents and children ranging from age 5-11 were asked why it is important to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Angela Dupuis brought her son, Gabriel, 11, and daughter, Madelyn, 8, for their first of the two-part vaccination series. Gabriel was extremely sad when his birthday party had to be canceled because family members were exposed to the virus. They also have a 17-month-old brother, Chase, to protect.

According to Tara Fanjoy, her 5-year-old daughter Ivy arrived home from school and declared that she wanted to “get the shot.” Ivy’s 16-year-old sister came along for support. “Now, everyone in our family is vaccinated,” mom says.

Not every youngster who attended was as eager as Ivy, but the coloring pages, music, LVHN fidget sticks and friendly vaccination team helped put them at ease.

According to Laura Williams, LVHN’s coordinator for the mobile vaccine unit clinics, 58 vaccinations were given. That number is in addition to those who have been scheduling appointments at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hazleton’s vaccine clinic at 700 E. Broad St. in the city. The vaccine clinic is held from noon to 6 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling 1-833-LVHN-CVD (833-584-6283) or in the patient portal MyLVHN