Washington Adventist Hospital and CASA de Maryland Hold Free Flu Shot Clinic for Community

Flu Clinic Supports Adventist HealthCare’s Help Stop the Flu Campaign

Rockville, Md. — Adventist HealthCare and Washington Adventist Hospital teamed up with CASA de Maryland to help stop the spread of the flu during a free flu shot clinic on Monday, October 15. The clinic provided free flu shots to nearly 100 community members.

The event was held from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Silver Spring Welcome Center. The event supports Adventist HealthCare’s fifth annual flu vaccination campaign, which launched in early September to provide expanded access to local flu shot clinics and to encourage the community to take immediate action against the flu through vaccination and prevention.

“We are proud to partner with local organizations like CASA de Maryland to ensure the health of our community by continuing to expand access to quality health-care services, especially for those who need it most,” said Joyce Newmyer, President of Washington Adventist Hospital.  

Influenza, or the flu, is a respiratory infection that can cause serious complications and is especially dangerous for young children, pregnant women and the elderly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone at least six months of age get a flu shot.

“These clinics help to support our goal of bringing prevention programs to the community which provide an equal opportunity for health for all,” said Marcos Pesquera, Executive Director of the Adventist HealthCare Center on Health Disparities.

During the 2012-2013 flu season, Adventist HealthCare will offer flu shots for adults and children at close to 50 sites throughout Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland and surrounding communities. Through these clinics, Adventist HealthCare vaccinates thousands of residents each year and remains one of the largest providers of flu vaccines in Montgomery County. For more information, visit www.HelpStoptheFlu.com.

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 HealthCare Behavioral Health Services, Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland, Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, Shady Grove Adventist Emergency Center, Adventist Home Care Services, Adventist Medical Group, the Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Young Children, LifeWork Strategies and Cytology Services of Maryland.