ALLENTOWN, Pa. — It’s that time of year when people start thinking about protection against infectious diseases such as the flu, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, and COVID-19.
"Vaccination is the number one most effective way to protect yourself, your family, your children, your co-workers,” said Terry Burger, administrator for the Infection Control and Prevention department at Lehigh Valley Health Network.
“That, along with other good health practices like drink plenty of fluids, get enough rest, exercise, eat healthy.”
Burger, a registered nurse, said now is the time to schedule shots, so that when the sick season ramps up over the next few weeks, you are protected.
Flu season prediction
Burger said that, "if you look at the CDC and other predictors of what type of season we may have, they think that it'll be, you know, fairly robust.”
She said that last year a combination of flu, RSV and COVID really hit the Lehigh Valley hard.
Burger also said newer RSV and COVID vaccines can help to prevent that same surge of infectious diseases.
COVID shots
LVHN doesn't have the latest COVID shot yet, but expects it to come within a few weeks.
"We anticipate it soon," Burger said. "It should be targeted to some of these newer variants that are circulating. The previous vaccines that they've had do not have these newer strains in."
Who is at risk?
Burger said people who are more vulnerable, such as those who are elderly, pregnant, very young or have underlying conditions, should consider getting the new coronavirus vaccination.
"I think people underestimate how serious these viral diseases can be.”Terry Burger, R.N., Lehigh Valley Health Network
"We've eliminated a lot of vaccine-preventable diseases, and the reason why some of them are back, whooping cough for one, measles for another, is because people decided to stop,” she said.
"I think people underestimate how serious these viral diseases can be.”
Where to get a shot
Flu shots, which have been administered for decades, are available through most pharmacies and doctors offices.
LVHN also will hold its annual drive-through flu vaccine clinic, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 2, at Dorney Park; and Nov. 3 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hecktown Oaks off Route 33 in Lower Nazareth Township.
"We have the big community drive," Burger said. "They can stay in their car, no appointments necessary.”
LVHN encourages people to go to its website and fill out a consent form ahead of time to streamline the process.
