By Kristy Warren

Laurel Health will offer drive-through flu shot clinics this October to make getting a flu shot quick and convenient. The flu shot clinics will be held at the Laurel Health Centers and community events throughout Tioga, Bradford, and Sullivan Counties.

Participants are encouraged to schedule ahead with the Laurel Health location of their choice at 1-833-LAURELHC (833-528-7354), but walk-ins can be accommodated. You do not have to be an established Laurel Health patient to schedule your flu vaccine at one of these drive-through clinics.

Flu shots teach the body how to identify and prepare to fight off influenza more effectively. The flu shot can help prevent people from catching certain types of flu, make flu symptoms milder, and reduce the risk of health complications from the flu, which can be especially important for vulnerable groups like seniors and those with chronic conditions. 

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 and mutate every year, so it’s recommended to get a flu shot annually to stay protected against newer strains. 

October is an ideal time to get vaccinated against the flu in northcentral Pennsylvania to assure protection lasts all flu season.

In summary, a flu vaccine can:

• Prevent you from catching certain types of influenza (flu)
• Shorten the duration of your illness
• Make flu symptoms milder if you do catch the flu 
• Help you avoid complications and excaberated health conditions from catching the flu; keeping symptoms mild and manageable can be 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.

To make it easier to fit a flu shot into your busy fall routine, Laurel Health will offer drive-through community flu shot clinics at all nine Laurel Health Center locations and community events throughout October (dates and details below). 

This October, Laurel Health will host drive-through flu shot events at our health center clinics and key community events throughout Tioga, Bradford, and Sullivan Counties; we are also scheduling in-office appointments for flu shots all autumn.

Laurel Health’s drive-through flu shot clinics will be held on:

• Oct. 14 - Westfield LHC, 236 E Main St., 9 am - 3 pm, 814-367-5911
  
  
• Oct. 16 - Towanda LHC, 410 Main St., Suite 102, 12 pm - 2 pm, 570-266-5882
  
  
• Oct. 17 - Lawrenceville LHC, 32 E Lawrence Rd., 9 am - 3 pm, 570-827-0125
  
  
• Oct. 18 - Health Fair at Sullivan County Elementary School, 777 S St., Laporte, 8 am - 12 pm; walk-in community event
  
  
• Oct. 21 - Blossburg LHC, 6 Riverside Plaza, 9 am - 3 pm, 570-638-2174
  
  
• Oct. 23 - Troy LHC, 45 Mud Creek Rd., 9 am - 3 pm, 570-297-3746
  
  
• Oct. 24 - Elkland LHC, 103 Forestview Dr., 9 am - 3 pm, 814-258-5117
  
  
• Oct. 28 - Wellsboro LHC, 7 Water St., 9 am - 3 pm, 570-724-1010
  
  
• Oct. 30 - Mansfield LHC, 416 S Main St., 9 am - 3 pm, 570-662-2002

Attendees should bring their insurance card if they have one. The flu shot cost depends on the patient’s insurance; some plans cover preventive vaccines like flu shots at no cost while other plans charge co-pays or set costs by vaccine. If cost is a barrier to your care, please contact the Laurel Health Centers and ask about our sliding fee program, which helps income-eligible patients with healthcare costs.

Signs will direct participants where to pull in and park for the drive-through events held at the Laurel Health Centers. The health fair at Sullivan County Elementary School is a walk-in event.

In addition to our dedicated flu shot events, flu shots can also be scheduled at any of the nine Laurel Health Centers all fall. With convenient locations throughout Tioga, Bradford, and Sullivan Counties, protection is only a call away. 

You are encouraged to schedule ahead, particularly if you'd like to receive your flu vaccine at a specific time. To schedule your flu shot for a drive-through event or make a vaccine appointment with the office, please call the LHC office of your choice directly at the number(s) listed above or call 1-833-LAURELHC (1-833-528-7354) today! 

Remember, preventive measures are your best defense against cold and flu season. Stay up to date on your vaccines, keep your distance from those who are sick when possible, wash your hands frequently for a full 20 seconds with soap and warm water, use hand sanitizer when on the go to help stop the spread of germs, wear a well-fitting mask if you'll be in a crowded indoor space or exposed to people with respiratory symptoms, and stay home if you're feeling under the weather.

Cold and flu season have you feeling miserable? Get the care you need without the wait! Laurel Health has acute illness covered with convenient, same-day, walk-in care at the Mansfield, Troy, and Wellsboro Laurel Health Centers as well as same-day primary care appointments at our nine Laurel Health Centers. 

Walk-ins see a provider whose schedule is dedicated specifically to walk-in care that day to ensure everyone is seen in a timely manner without impacting appointment times for scheduled patients.

Conditions our walk-in care service treats include:

• Influenza (flu)
• Coughs and sore throat, including strep throat
• COVID-19 symptoms
• Rashes and sores
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Colds and other respiratory illnesses
• Minor burns and cuts
• Tick and insect bites
• Muscle strains and sprains
• Pink eye
• Earaches
• Nosebleeds
• Allergy, asthma, and COPD exacerbations (flare-ups)

Note: We help manage flare-up symptoms, but walk-in care is not intended to treat emergencies or severe injury. If someone is having trouble breathing or another life-threatening emergency, always call 911 or go the nearest ER.

You do not have to be an established Laurel Health patient to be seen by our walk-in care providers. Walk-in care is intended to address pressing health needs, not ongoing issues or wellness care. If you are due for preventive screenings or need help with a chronic condition, please schedule a primary care appointment instead. 

Anyone can visit the following Laurel Health Centers during their walk-in care hours and request to be seen by a walk-in care provider: 

Mansfield Laurel Health Center's Walk-in Care Hours

Monday - Friday   7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Saturdays              8:00 am - 1:00 pm
570-662-2002

Troy Laurel Health Center's Walk-in Care Hours

Monday - Friday      
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
570-297-3746

Wellsboro Laurel Health Center's Walk-in Care Hours

Monday - Friday      
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
570-724-1010

For more information about walk-in care for acute issues, visit Laurel Health's walk-in care services page.