By Kristy Warren

Laurel Health will offer drive-through flu shot clinics throughout October to make getting a flu shot quick and convenient. These drive-through flu shot clinics are open to everyone. They will be held at all nine Laurel Health Centers and community events throughout Tioga, Bradford, and Sullivan Counties, including local health fairs (see full list of dates and locations below).

Participants are encouraged to schedule ahead with the Laurel Health location of their choice at 1-833-LAURELHC (1-833-528-7354), 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 are available to those aged six months and up. Higher-dose flu vaccines are available to those aged 65 and older. 

Need a flu shot? Laurel Health has you covered. We are hosting dedicated drive-through flu shot events at our health centers and key community events during October. Can't make it to one of the events below? No problem! We are also scheduling in-office appointments for flu shots all autumn; simply call 1-833-LAURELHC (1-833-528-7354) to schedule at your preferred office.

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

• Oct. 01 - Troy LHC, 45 Mud Creek Rd., 1 pm - 4 pm, 570-297-3746
  
  
• Oct. 06 - Sullivan County LHC, 217 King St. Laporte, 9 am - 2 pm, 570-946-5101
  
  
• Oct. 07 - Towanda LHC, 410 Main St., Suite 102, 1 pm - 3 pm, 570-266-5882
  
  
• Oct. 08 - Westfield LHC, 236 E Main St., 9 am - 3 pm, 814-367-5911
  
  
• Oct. 09 - Elkland LHC, 103 Forestview Dr., 9 am - 3 pm, 814-258-5117
  
  
• Oct. 17 - Health Fair at Sullivan Co. Elementary School, 777 S St., Laporte, 8 am - 12 pm
  
  
• Oct. 20 - Mansfield LHC, 416 S Main St., 9 am - 3 pm, 570-662-2002
  
  
• Oct. 21 - Wellsboro LHC, 7 Water St., 9 am - 3 pm, 570-724-1010
  
  
• Oct. 23 - Lawrenceville LHC, 32 E Lawrence Rd., 9 am - 3 pm, 570-827-0125
  
  
• Oct. 27 - Blossburg LHC, 6 Riverside Plaza, 9 am - 3 pm, 570-638-2174

Attendees should bring their insurance card if they have one. The flu shot cost depends on the patient’s insurance; many 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. Community events like the health fair at Sullivan County Elementary School will be walk-in events.

You are encouraged to schedule ahead for the drive-through clinic events, particularly if you'd like to receive your flu vaccine at a specific time, but walk-ins can be accomodated. You can also schedule a flu shot for a specific day and time at our nine Laurel Health Centers all fall. With convenient locations throughout Tioga, Bradford, and Sullivan Counties, protection is only a call away. 

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.

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, young children, 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)
• Make flu symptoms milder if you do catch the flu 
• Shorten the duration of your illness
• Help you avoid complications and exacerbated 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 events at all nine Laurel Health Center locations in October and will have flu vaccines available at the clinics by appointment all fall. 

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, RSV, 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 could be having a 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.