Lehigh Valley Health Network will administer free flu shots for the 25th straight year for adults and children 6 months and older during two community sessions in November.

Shots will be all drive-thru at Dorney Park in Allentown on Saturday and Lehigh Valley Hospital–Hecktown Oaks in Lower Nazareth Township on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

For the past 24 years, LVHN’s community influenza vaccination campaign has administered over 200,000 free flu shots and collected more than 156,000 pounds of food for area food banks.

“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 Infection Control Officer. “This flu season may be more severe than in year’s past based on how influenza has been acting in other parts of the world.”

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.

LVHN is partnering with area food banks and shelters to accept donations of unexpired, non-perishable food items during each of the drive-thru 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 in our community. These include things like diapers, personal hygiene products - toothbrushes, for example - coffee pods and disinfectant wipes.

A vaccine information statement, consent form and map of the vaccination route for Dorney Park and LVH–Hecktown Oaks are available at lvhn.org/flushot. Please bring a completed and signed 2022-2023 consent form for each individual receiving a flu shot.

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

Review the vaccine information sheet and complete and bring the 2022-2023 consent form for each person to be vaccinated. Forms may be found at lvhn.org/flushot, or requested by calling 888-402-5846.