- Respiratory disease season is the topic Pennsylvania’s Acting Secretary of Health is addressing
- She paid a visit to both the Allentown and Bethlehem Health Bureaus Monday
- Dr. Debra Bogen says vaccines are the best prevention against this type of illness
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Respiratory disease season is here, so the state's acting health secretary is making stops at local health bureaus across the state.
Dr. Debra Bogen paid a visit to both Allentown and Bethlehem health bureaus on Monday.
"We just want to make sure that everybody is aware that vaccines are widely available right now, they are covered by health insurance and for people who are not insured, there are also ways to get coverage," Bogen said.
"And we just want to make sure that everybody knows they can get vaccinated. The local health departments are giving vaccines."
Bogen said colder weather means respiratory viruses are here. She stressed the importance of taking precautions.
"We have flu, COVID and RSV," she said. "It's important for all of us to basically take basic precautions, including getting vaccinated.
"We have flu, COVID and RSV. It's important for all of us to basically take basic precautions, including getting vaccinated. That protects ourselves, our families, and the people in our community who are at high risk for serious health outcomes from respiratory viral infections."Dr. Debra Bogen, Pa.'s acting secretary of health
"That protects ourselves, our families, and the people in our community who are at high risk for serious health outcomes from respiratory viral infections."
Bogen met with Allentown Health Director David Synnamon and Bethlehem Health Director Kristen Wenrich.
“As the season for respiratory illness begins it's important that everyone gets vaccinated for flu and COVID," Synnamon said as he met with Bogen.
"It is the most effective way to prevent serious illness and death from these viruses. Vaccines not only protect you but help protect the most at-risk populations in our community.”
He said anyone in the community, regardless of whether they're an Allentown resident, can get a flu vaccine 1-3:30 p.m. Fridays at the Allentown Health Bureau, 245 N. 6th St.
Bogen said right now, cases are low for flu and COVID, but RSV is on the rise in children.
Bethlehem Health Director Kristen Wenrich echoed that information locally as she met with Bogen.
"Low levels right now, but that's typically what we see around this time. But everybody needs to remain vigilant,” Wenrich said.
Bethlehem Mayor William Reynolds, who joined the meeting, said, "I think we've seen a lot of success in Bethlehem in the last several years with our preparedness as far as our ability of our Health Bureau to get out into our schools and get out into our community.
"And the ability to amplify this message that the acting secretary has taken throughout the state. It is really valuable, it comes down to saving lives."
Bogen reminded the public that the holidays are drawing near.
“Thanksgiving is just a couple weeks away," she said. "Vaccines are most effective, usually about two weeks after you get them.
"And so if you're going to be getting together with lots of friends and family over the holidays, this is a great time to get vaccinated."
Bogen's Lehigh Valley stops are part of her goal of visiting many of the local health departments across the state.
To find COVID vaccine availability visit www.vaccines.gov.
