Monongahela Valley Hospital Cautions: Flu Vaccine More Important Than Ever

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, physicians at Monongahela Valley Hospital are advising the community that getting the flu vaccine is more important than ever.

"We encourage everyone ages 6 months and older to get the flu vaccine - especially those at high risk including older adults, young children and pregnant women," said David Weber, M.D., MVH's director of Infectious Disease. "Although the vaccine doesn't provide 100% protection, it is still the best defense against contracting the flu and developing serious complications."

According to Dr. Weber, while the flu vaccine will not prevent COVID-19, it will reduce the burden of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths on the health care system and conserve medical resources for people with COVID.

The flu numbers can be staggering. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, during 2019-2020, the flu vaccine prevented an estimated 7.5 million influenza illnesses, 3.7 million influenza-associated medical visits, 105,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations, and 6,300 influenza-associated deaths.

Monongahela Valley Hospital is offering the flu vaccine at physician offices listed below.

Thomas Sisk, M.D.
Martik Plaza
6108 Brownsville Road Ext., Suite 204
Finleyville, PA 15332
724-782-0723

John Holets, M.D.
447 West Main Street
Monongahela, PA 15063
724-258-2070

Joanna Swauger, D.O.
Kenneth Szekely, M.D.
Monongahela Valley Hospital HealthPlex
800 Plaza Drive, Suite 290
Rostraver, PA 15012
724-379-6850

Kenneth Szekely, M.D.
Monongahela Valley Hospital Outpatient Center - California
371 Skyline Drive
California, Pa 15419
724-648-3863