By Kristy Warren

A flu shot is your best shot to beat influenza this flu season! 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. 

Why get the shot? 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 

Keeping symptoms mild 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.

Laurel Health will offer drive-through community flu shot clinics at Laurel Pediatrics and all eight Laurel Health Center locations throughout October (dates below). 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 a flu shot for either a drive-through event or an appointment at the office, simply call the Laurel Health Center of your choice or our Laurel Pediatrics office in Wellsboro (individual office numbers provided below and on our Contact page). 

October is the best time to be vaccinated for flu in our area to ensure protection lasts all flu season. To make staying up to date on your vaccines quick and convenient, Laurel Health will host drive-through flu shot events at our clinics throughout Tioga and Bradford Counties as follows:

• Oct. 08 - Westfield LHC, 236 E Main St., 9 am - 4 pm, 814-367-5911
  
  
• Oct. 10 - Lawrenceville LHC, 32 E Lawrence Rd., 9 am - 4 pm, 570-827-0125
  
  
• Oct. 11 - Elkland LHC, 103 Forestview Dr., 9 am - 4 pm, 814-258-5117
  
  
• Oct. 17 - Towanda LHC, 410 Main St., Suite 102, 1 pm - 3 pm, 570-266-5882
  
  
• Oct. 18 - Laurel Pediatrics - Wellsboro, 1 B Main St., 9 am - 4 pm, 570-724-7100
  
  
• Oct. 22 - Blossburg LHC, 6 Riverside Plaza, 9 am - 4 pm, 570-638-2174
  
  
• Oct. 24 - Troy LHC, 45 Mud Creek Rd., 9 am - 4 pm, 570-297-3746
  
  
• Oct. 25 - Mansfield LHC, 416 S Main St., 9 am - 3 pm, 570-662-2002
  
  
• Oct. 29 - Wellsboro LHC, 7 Water St., 9 am - 4 pm, 570-724-1010

Signs will direct patients where to pull in and park. Participants should bring their insurance card along if they have one. The flu shot cost will depend on your insurance, as some plans cover preventive vaccines 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 families with healthcare costs.

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 click here to view our Laurel Health office numbers by location.

If you cannot attend one of the drive-through events, all eight 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.

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. 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:

• Coughs and sore throat, including strep throat
• COVID-19 symptoms
• Rashes and sores
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Colds and Influenza (flu)
• 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. Our sites often have same-day or next-day access available for primary care.

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

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, visit Laurel Health's walk-in care services page.