By Kristy Warren
A flu shot is your best shot to beat influenza this flu season! Flu shots can prevent catching certain types of flu and make flu symptoms milder, which is especially important for older adults, people with chronic health conditions, and children, as those groups are more likely to experience severe symptoms and flu complications.
There are many different strains of influenza (flu), and the flu shot is formulated to protect against the strains experts believe will be most prevalent during each flu season. Those strains can change every year, so it’s recommended to get a flu shot annually.
Laurel Health will offer drive-through community flu shot clinics at Laurel Pediatrics and all seven Laurel Health Center locations throughout October. You do not have to be an established Laurel Health patient to schedule your flu vaccine at one of our drive-through clinics.
Participants are encouraged to schedule ahead with the Laurel Health location of their choice, but walk-ins can be accommodated. To schedule for a flu shot drive-through event, simply call the Laurel Health Center of your choice or our Laurel Pediatrics office in Wellsboro (numbers provided below and on our contact page).
LAUREL HEALTH'S DRIVE-THROUGH FLU SHOT CLINICS WILL BE HELD ON:
- Oct. 10 - Lawrenceville LHC, 32 E Lawrence Rd., 9 am - 3 pm, 570-827-0125
- Oct. 13 - Westfield LHC, 236 E Main St., 9 am - 3 pm, 814-367-5911
- Oct. 15 - Blossburg LHC, 6 Riverside Plaza, 12 pm - 4 pm (Blossburg V.I.B.E. Festival Event), 570-638-2174
- Oct. 17 - Wellsboro LHC, 7 Water St., 9 am - 3 pm, 570-724-1010
- Oct. 18 - Mansfield LHC, 416 S Main St., 10 am - 5 pm, 570-662-2002
- Oct. 19 - Laurel Pediatrics - Wellsboro, 1 B Main St., 1 pm - 4 pm, 570-724-7100
- Oct. 20 - Blossburg LHC, 6 Riverside Plaza, 9 am - 3 pm, 570-638-2174
- Oct. 24 - Troy LHC, 45 Mud Creek Rd., 9 am - 3 pm, 570-297-3746
- Oct. 27 - Elkland LHC, 103 Forestview Dr., 9 am - 3 pm, 814-258-5117
- Oct. 31 - Wellsboro LHC, 7 Water St., 2 pm - 5 pm, 570-724-1010
Signs will direct patients where to pull in and park. Patients should bring their insurance card along if they have one. The flu shot cost will depend on the patient’s insurance, as some plans cover preventive vaccines in full while other plans charge set costs by vaccine. If cost is a barrier to your care, contact the Laurel Health Centers and ask about our sliding fee program, which helps income-eligible families with healthcare costs.
In addition to these drive-through events, Laurel Health will also be offering flu shots at the Blossburg Laurel Health Center at 6 Riverside Plaza as part of the Blossburg V.I.B.E. Fall Festival on Sunday, October 15 from 12 pm to 4 pm.
If you cannot attend one of the drive-through clinics or festival event, all seven Laurel Health Centers and Laurel Pediatrics are also offering flu shots by appointment in the offices all fall. With convenient locations throughout Tioga and Bradford Counties, protection is only a call away. Click here for a full list of Laurel locations and contact information.
October is the best time to be vaccinated for flu in our area to ensure protection lasts all flu season. Help protect yourself and others by getting your flu shot this fall, staying home when sick, and washing your hands frequently for a full 20 seconds with soap and warm water to help stop the spread of germs.
To schedule your flu shot for a drive-through event or at the office, call the LHC office of your choice directly at the number(s) listed above or click here to view our office numbers by location. You may also call our main 1-800 number at 1-833-LAURELHC (1-833-528-7354) and select either the Laurel Pediatrics option or the Laurel Health Centers option from the main menu. When selecting the Laurel Health Centers menu option, you'll then be prompted to select the LHC office location of your choice for scheduling: Blossburg, Elkland, Mansfield, Lawrenceville, Troy, Wellsboro, or Westfield LHC.
For a full list of our LHC locations and phone numbers, click here.