LGBTQ+ people are likely worried about the potential impact of COVID-19 on their health. People at particular risk should talk to their health providers about their options for protecting themselves from infection.

Updated January 5, 2022

What is Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center doing about COVID-19?

Our organization prioritizes health promotion and health equity for the LGBT community, so we are taking COVID-19 seriously and are taking the following precautionary measures:

• The safety of visiting community members has always been a priority, which is why we will continue to require all visitors to wear masks. The pandemic may be subsiding, but the reality is that new variants raise enough concern to maintain this particular policy.
• All staff members have been vaccinated since the center reopened its doors to the community in September 2021.
• Most programs are available through virtual formats.
  • Community Groups
  • Arts & Culture Programming
  • All Events
  • Virtual Queer Bookshop (benefiting Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center!)
  • Youth Programs: email [email protected] for more information

Commonly Asked Questions About COVID-19

Medical experts are urging people to continue to use face masks, social distance, and to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, whether it’s with the initial 2 dose series or by getting their booster shots as vaccinations help prevent severe illness and hospitalizations from COVID-19. 

• You can find free masks in your county by clicking here. 
• The updated COVID-19 bivalent booster is now available and contains antigens for the original coronavirus as well as the omicron strains. See side effects here.

What should I do with my COVID-19 test results?

• If you tested positive, regardless of vaccination status or presence of symptoms, stay at home and isolate yourself from others for a minimum of five (5) days.
• If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, talk with your provider to see if you can end isolation after 5 days. If you need a referral to an LGBTQ-affirming provider, contact [email protected]. 
• If you are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you may end isolation 5 days after your positive result, but continue to mask around others for an additional 5 days.
• If your test comes back negative and you are still symptomatic, take a second at home test after 48 hours to confirm your negative result. 

You can find testing sites that are available and closer to you here.

What are the treatments available for COVID-19?

If you have tested positive, there are different treatment plans that can be used to manage symptoms to prevent hospitalization. 

• People who have mild or moderate symptoms there are oral antiviral medications (Paxlovid and Lagevrio) or monoclonal antibody therapies available, but require a prescription from a healthcare provider. 
• COVID-19 treatments are prescription only, can only be prescribed by medical providers and be started 5-7 days after getting sick with COVID-19. To learn more about the different treatments for COVID-19 in and out of hospitals click here.

How can I check the COVID-19 cases in my county?

• The CDC has a resource that is updated every Thursday so that you can find out the specific COVID-19 Community Level for your specific county by clicking here. 

Where can I go to get vaccinated? 

• If you are looking for a way to get yourself or your children who are between the ages of 6 months and older vaccinated, please check out LVHN's website, here. You can also go to the Allentown Health Bureau that accepts walk-ins without appointment on Monday, Wednesday and Friday ONLY (9:00 AM - 3:30 PM). 

What if I have a medical issue that prevents me from leaving home to get vaccinated?

• If you are a resident of Allentown, you can contact the Allentown Health Bureau Homebound Vaccine hotline 610-260-0360 and arrange for a time and day to get vaccinated at home. 
• If you are a resident of PA but do not live in Allentown, you can reach out to the following hotlines which will connect you to vaccine providers who will administer the vaccine. 
  • PACE Call Center 1-800-424-4326 OR
  • PA link to connect with local AAA 1-800-753-8827 

You can find out more information about getting vaccinated at home from the PA Department of Health’s website linked here.

To learn more about accessibility at the Bradbury Sullivan LGBT Community Center, click here!

Who is eligible for the new COVID-19 booster?

To check to see your eligibility you can visit the CDC website here.

Who is eligible:

• Individuals who have completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines, regardless of whether or not that individual received any previous boosters 
• Individuals who received their last vaccine dose (booster or primary series) at least 2 months ago
• Children who are 6 months old to 4 years old, who have already completed their primary series of the Pfizer or Moderna are now eligible for the bivalent booster.

Why should I get my booster shot?

• Vaccines and boosters are significantly effective at preventing serious illness and death from all known variants of COVID-19. Boosters are especially critical in stopping the spread. People who have received a booster dose have a much lower risk of infection, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19, as compared to people who have only completed their primary series of vaccines.

If I just had COVID-19, when should I get my COVID-19 Booster shot?

• If you recently had COVID-19 and are within the recovery stage, experts from the CDC recommend that you should wait at least 3-4 months before getting your next COVID-19 booster shot.

Can I get the flu shot at the same time as getting my COVID-19 Booster Shot? 

• Yes, you can get the flu vaccine and COVID-19 shot at the same time.

COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations for Children and Teens:

• Children who are 6 months and up to receive the first and second doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine can receive Pfizer or Moderna. 

To learn more about the recommendations for COVID-19 vaccinations for children and teens you can visit the CDC website here.

If you have particular concerns about your health or the health of your child when it comes to vaccinations, speak to your physician or feel free to reach out to our Health Equity Programs Manager at [email protected]. 

If you are up to date on your COVID-19 Vaccines and want to know more about sexual health screenings click here to learn about our free Queer Health Services with Novus.