LVPG practices awaiting shipments from Pfizer-BioNTech

Lehigh Valley, Pa. (Sept. 18, 2023) – Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) patients looking to get the newly authorized COVID-19 vaccines, formulated to be more effective against recent circulating variants of the virus, will be able to reach out to their doctors starting Sept. 20.

Lehigh Valley Physician Group (LVPG) practices are awaiting vaccine shipments from Pfizer-BioNTech and those deliveries should begin arriving next week.

Patients can call their doctor’s office directly or send a message to their doctor through their MyLVHN patient portal to express an interest in making an appointment to receive the new COVID vaccine once supplies arrive. COVID vaccine shots are by appointment only at LVPG practices. LVHN no longer operates large COVID-19 shot clinics as it did when the COVID-19 pandemic began more than 3½ years ago.

If you don’t have a MyLVHN account, creating one is easy. Visit LVHN.org/mylvhn to learn more.

Authorizations came the week of Sept. 10 from the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for updated monovalent vaccines from both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Because of the new approvals, previously approved bivalent COVID-19 vaccines are no longer administered.

At this time, LVHN will only offer Pfizer-BioNTech in its practices. Both Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines will be available at retail pharmacies across the region. Patients may receive either new COVID vaccine, regardless of their receipt of a different COVID vaccine in the past.

LVHN also expects to have COVID vaccines available soon at its ExpressCARE locations and will announce availability at those sites at a later date.

The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness this fall and winter. Like the recent COVID vaccines, the current vaccine is intended to reduce the risk of severe disease, hospitalization and death following infection with COVID. More recent data presented by the CDC indicates the COVID vaccine results in a lower likelihood of developing long COVID-19.

Insurance will cover the cost of the vaccine, though an administration fee could apply in some cases. People should check with their insurance carrier for coverage information. The CDC has a Bridge Access Program for uninsured and underinsured adults.

The new monovalent COVID-19 vaccines are designed to provide more focused protection against newer stains of the virus, including XBB.1.5, a more recent descendent of the omicron variant.

The CDC recommends the following if it’s been at least two months since you received the older, bivalent COVID vaccine:

• Those 5 and older should receive one dose of the 2023-24 mRNA COVID vaccine.
• Children ages 6 months through 4 years will need one dose if previously vaccinated. Those with no prior COVID vaccination will receive a series of two (Moderna) or three (Pfizer-BioNTech) doses.
• People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should discuss vaccination strategies with their doctor. The number of doses recommended will depend on prior vaccination status and age.

“Vaccination remains the best insurance against COVID-related hospitalizations and death, especially in the highest risk groups such as the elderly and those with underlying immunosuppression and chronic medical conditions,” said Timothy Friel, MD, Chair, Department of Medicine, LVHN. “For patients at lower risk of complications or those with questions about vaccination, I always encourage consultation with your doctor or clinician to help you make the vaccine decision that’s right for you.”

Dr. Friel said though COVID is unfortunately still with us, things have evolved during the past three years. “The virus has continued to change, and, for most patients, our immune systems are better equipped to respond to infection because of our exposure to prior vaccines and natural infection. Nonetheless, we have been experiencing an increase in cases and hospitalizations, though still at significantly lower levels than we witnessed during prior Septembers,” Dr. Friel said.

If you have any questions concerning COVID-19 vaccination scheduling, call 888-402-LVHN (5846).

Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) includes 13 hospital campuses, four in Allentown, two in Bethlehem, one in Easton, one in East Stroudsburg, one in Hazleton, two in Pottsville, one in Dickson City, and one in Lehighton, Pa.; 28 health centers; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices; 20 ExpressCARE locations including the area’s

only Children’s ExpressCARE; pharmacy, imaging, home health, rehabilitation and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred. Specialty care includes: trauma care for adults and children; burn care at the Regional Burn Center; kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal/neonatal, cardiac, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center; and robotic surgery in 10 specialties. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute, Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence, Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute and Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute physicians provide the most advanced treatments. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute is a member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance (MSK Cancer Alliance), an initiative that helps community providers improve the quality of cancer care and offers access to MSK clinical trials. Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, the third largest children’s hospital in Pennsylvania, offers the most comprehensive care for children in our community from primary care to pediatric specialties. Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest is ranked as the region’s No. 1 hospital for 10 straight years and has been recognized among Pennsylvania’s top 10 hospitals for 10 consecutive years and nationally ranked for Orthopedics in 2023 by U.S. News & World Report. Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest, LVH–17th Street and LVH–Muhlenberg are the Lehigh Valley’s only Magnet® hospitals for nursing excellence. Additional information is available by visiting LVHN.org or following us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Jamie L. Stover
Media Relations Specialist
Marketing & Public Affairs
Lehigh Valley Health Network
Allentown, PA 18105

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