Carbon Co. hosts flu shot clinic
The Pennsylvania Department of Health, in conjunction with Carbon County, conducted a drive-thru flu clinic Saturday in Lehighton, serving 303 people.
The drive-thru was held in the parking lots of Lehighton Area Elementary Center and Lehighton Area High School. Several officials of the Department of Health were present. They were assisted by members of the Carbon County Emergency Management Agency, Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, the Carbon County Commissioners office, local fire police and the Lehighton Police Department, coordinated the event.
Mark Nalesnik, director of the Emergency Management Agency, said the secondary purpose was to prepare local officials in case a vaccination clinic would have to be established to distribute a COVID-19 vaccine when one become available.
“If we end up doing a mass vaccination clinic (for COVID-19), then this will have been a good practice and given us preparedness,” Nalesnik said.
Audrey Wargo, public information officer with the Emergency Management Agency said everything went smooth with the clinic, noting that motorists were directed into the elementary school parking lot for registration, then to the high school parking lot for administering the vaccine.
So popular was the clinic that at times cars were backed up, Wargo said. Still, the process went smoothly and many compliments were received about the orderly process.
“The residents of Carbon County and commissioners are very thankful and appreciative for the tremendous job The Pennsylvania Department of Health, St. Luke’s Hospital Lehighton, Carbon County Sheriff’s Department, Lehighton Area School District, Carbon County Emergency Management Agency & CERT Team and Eastern PA EMS Council did,” said Carbon County Commissioner Rocky Ahner, who serves as safety chairman for the commissioners.
“It was run very well,” Ahner said. “Everybody got served.” Ahner serves as the safety chairman for the commissioners.
“Everything went very smoothly,” Nalesnik said. “Our primary purpose was on everyone’s safety. We’re grateful to everyone who helped.”