BETHLEHEM, Pa. — It’s the time of year when many people — especially those in health care — get their annual flu shots.
For the 2022-23 season, vaccine providers are expected to supply as many as 173.5 million to 183.5 million doses of influenza vaccines to people in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
- For the 2022-23 season, vaccine providers are expected to supply up to 183.5 million doses of influenza vaccines to people in the United States
- Lehigh Valley Hospital Muhlenberg Campus held a flu vaccine clinic last week, offering free shots to those who work and volunteer for Lehigh Valley Health Network
- LVHN will hold drive-through flu vaccine clinics the first weekend in November.
Lehigh Valley Hospital's Muhlenberg Campus held a flu vaccine clinic last week, offering free shots to those who work and volunteer for Lehigh Valley Health Network.
“To keep our patients safe, to keep us safe, community safe,” said Judy Chernikovich-Clemens, who has been a nurse for 50 years.
Chernikovich-Clemens not only is she making sure she protects herself from the flu, but from COVID-19, as well.
“The pandemic has had pretty much of an impact on all of us,” she said. “We've seen that in our communities, our families or patients. I think it's important to try to keep us all out of the hospital and, if we do get COVID, not seriously ill."
She received her third booster shot just days before getting her influenza dose. She said she doesn’t let the fear of adverse symptoms from either vaccine stop her from protecting herself.
"I do expect to have symptoms, possibly, and if I do, they're certainly not severe,” she said.
Clinical pharmacist Brian Foster also stopped in for a flu shot at the Muhlenberg clinic, after receiving his COVID-19 booster days before.
"I think it's something easy that we can all do to help prevent the spread of disease and protect those that are not able to protect themselves for reasons.”Brian Foster, LVHN Cinical pharmacist
"I think it's something easy that we can all do to help prevent the spread of disease and protect those that are not able to protect themselves for reasons,” Foster said.
However, it’s not just those working in the medical field getting the needle.
Sallie Fischl of Bethlehem, who volunteers in the gift shop, said, "I think it protects us from all those bad things that are floating around during the wintertime.”
Doug Christine of Whitehall Township, who works in IT, said he took advantage of the free flu shot to protect himself and those around him.
"To get boostered, you're less likely to get it, and it kind of helps other people," he said. "You know, you don't trigger, you don't transport it or transfer it back and forth between, you know, people."
LVHN will hold drive-through flu vaccine clinics for the general public as it has for the past many years, the first weekend in November.
The flu vaccine is available to people 6 months and older. Doctors recommend people 65 and older get a higher dose of the vaccine.
