November 25, 2009
News Release
Adventist HealthCare Partners with Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services to Provide Free H1N1 Vaccine for Expectant Mothers
Nearly 500 pregnant women receive injectable H1N1 vaccine from Health & Wellness Team
Rockville, MD - Adventist HealthCare extended its "Help Stop the Flu" campaign this month by collaborating with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services to provide free H1N1 vaccine to nearly 500 expectant mothers in the community.
The collaboration with the county is an extension of Adventist HealthCare's 2009 "Help Stop the Flu" campaign, which reminds the community to help stop the spread of the flu through preventative measures, such as vaccinations and hand-washing. Adventist HealthCare, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital and Washington Adventist Hospital have already vaccinated nearly 2,400 community members and will hold more seasonal and H1N1 clinics as the vaccines become available in the coming weeks.
Expectant mothers were given their free H1N1 vaccinations at three clinics this month. At the first clinic, 246 expectant mothers received the vaccine on November 4 in Silver Spring. At the second clinic, 205 expectant mothers and 30 children received vaccinations on November 12 at Adventist HealthCare's corporate offices in Rockville. Both clinics saw expectant mothers traveling from all parts of Montgomery County to receive the vaccination in order to protect themselves and their babies.
"It is extremely important that pregnant women receive the H1N1 vaccine as they are the highest priority group to receive it," said Judy Lichty, Regional Director of Health and Wellness for Adventist HealthCare. "It's an easy approach to keep both mother and baby healthy."
The H1N1 vaccine was also provided to pregnant women at a Nov. 9 community pediatric flu shot clinic, at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, where 55 children received the H1N1 vaccine.
"Adventist HealthCare's collaboration with Montgomery County helps us expand access to health care for the community, especially the underserved," said William G. "Bill" Robertson, President and CEO of Adventist HealthCare. "It is just one of many partnerships that helps us meet our mission to improve the health of people and communities by demonstrating God's care through a ministry of physical, mental and spiritual healing."
Visit http://www.adventisthealthcare.com/health/programs/flu/index.aspx for information on seasonal and H1N1 vaccine availability.
Adventist HealthCare, an integrated health care delivery organization based in Rockville, Maryland, is one of the largest employers in the state of Maryland. The mission of Adventist HealthCare is to demonstrate God's care by improving the health of people and communities through a ministry of physical, mental and spiritual healing. Adventist HealthCare includes Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Washington Adventist Hospital, Adventist Behavioral Health Services, Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland, Adventist Senior Living Services, Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, Adventist Home Health Services, the Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Young Children, and LifeWork Strategies.
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