250,000 Vaccines to Protect the Community

By: AdventHealth, and Adventist Review

AdventHealth has reached a significant milestone in its vaccine distribution efforts in communities across nine states of the United States. As of April 2021, AdventHealth has administered more than 250,000 COVID-19 vaccines.

The journey to this milestone began in December 2020, following the Emergency Use Authorization approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. In the months leading up to the first coronavirus vaccine’s availability, AdventHealth CEO Terry Shaw assembled a taskforce of the organization’s experts to plan a systemwide strategy for an efficient, safe, and equitable vaccine rollout.

“This number represents a huge step forward in protecting people and helping them get back to the things that make them feel whole,” AdventHealth’s chief medical officer, Brent Box, said. “The strides being made in the rollout of this vaccine across the country contribute to what will be one of the greatest comebacks of our time.”

The impact of this vaccine was recently illustrated by a study shared by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), which confirms the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines can reduce COVID-19 hospitalization risk by 94 percent among older adults, drastically reducing the danger of a coronavirus infection.

“This milestone is a testament to the tenacity and dedication of our teams across the country,” Box said. “We are very encouraged by our progress but know there is still much work needed to provide COVID-19 vaccines to our team members and communities as a safe and highly effective form of protection. In addition to the protection offered by vaccines, we must continue taking the evidence-based precautions that keep people safe.”

As the health system’s vaccine rollout continues, AdventHealth’s coronavirus experts recommend using trusted resources such as the Coronavirus Resources Hub and the CDC for information about COVID-19 and the vaccines available.

About AdventHealth

With their stated mission of “Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ,” AdventHealth employs more than 80,000 people in almost 50 health-care facilities across twelve U.S. states. According to the health-care network website, the organization’s mission is to be Jesus’ hands and feet in helping people become whole.

It adds, “Our story is one of hope — one that strives to heal and restore the body, mind, and spirit.”

The original version of this story was posted on the AdventHealth news site.