ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The number of flu cases — both regionally and nationally — remains higher than usual.
Health officials in Allentown are urging people to get the flu shot and taking extra steps to make that as easy as possible.
The city’s health bureau offers free flu shots every Friday, and you don’t even have to live in the city to take advantage of the program.
WFMZ-TV | Jenny McCain
City of Allentown Bureau of Health
On a cool rainy January day, with the flu running amok, Sarah Green and Evynn Bronson walked into the Allentown Health Department to get a flu shot.
“Haven’t gotten sick thus far. But that’s why we’re here. For the preventative measures,” Bronson said.
Health Bureau managers would like to see more people coming in. They’ve given out between four and five-hundred flu shots since September, but the overall numbers are down.
Clinical Services Manager Erin Barron worries there are concerns about the effectiveness of the vaccine, but says people need to rely on it.
“The flu vaccine does not cause the flu. It is not possible. It is not a live virus,” Barron reminded.
The vaccines are provided free of charge to uninsured and underinsured children through federal dollars, and the health bureau purchases more vaccines with its budget to give to people who are insured.
“The flu is like a catch-all. It’s all that gross stuff all rolled into one. It just makes you feel terrible,” said Barron.
Barron spent 23 years as a nurse.
“I’ve never had the flu,” she said.
Barron says to wash your hands and get the vaccine.
“The people who I know who have had it, have been bed-ridden for 6 or 7 days and it takes them a good week to ten days to get their energy back up,” Barron said.
Green and Bronson say you can get your shot with ease, and peace of mind.
“It’s so easy. There’s nothing required of you. You don’t have to show I.D. You just give them your name. No proof of residency or insurance and you’re in and out in 5 minutes,” Green said.
You can stop in at the Health Bureau at Alliance Hall at 245 North 6th St. on Fridays from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. or make an appointment.