"Help Stop the Flu" Campaign

An estimated 25 million to 50 million cases of influenza are currently reported each year - leading to 150,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths annually in the United States.

Influenza Imposed Burden

An estimated 25 million to 50 million cases of influenza are currently reported each year - leading to 150,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths annually in the United States. With hospital visits and additional health-care costs rising, influenza poses an economic burden to businesses and the broader community. For example, each year, influenza is responsible for significant lost productivity in the United States. Recent estimates put the costs of the flu in the U.S. at $71 billion to $167 billion annually. Other impacts of influenza include:

• Children 7 and under lose an average of 2.5 school days to influenza.
• Adults can lose an average of:
  • 2.4 days incapacitated or confined to a bed
  • 2.8 work days being sick with influenza
  • 1.3 work days caring for a child 7 or under with influenza
• Up to 111 million adult workdays - costing $7 billion - are lost every year to influenza in sick days and lost productivity

Each year Adventist HealthCare, through its Health and Wellness Department vaccinates approximately 10,000 residents through flu shot events at our facilities, churches, malls, business and community centers. Through its two hospitals in Montgomery County (Washington Adventist and Shady Grove Adventist), Adventist HealthCare provides more flu shots to the community than any other Maryland hospital in the area.

2009 Flu Campaign Events

Adventist HealthCare has partnered with WTOP, 103.5FM Radio, to bring you two special flu season events, each one offering the first 103 flu vaccinations of the day for free:

2009 Flu Campaign Goals

The 2009 "Help Stop the Flu" campaign will aim to educate the community about the importance of annual flu vaccinations as well as the upcoming H1N1 vaccination. In addition, the campaign will sponsor a number of seasonal flu vaccination clinics that will offer free flu shots.

2009 Flu Campaign Partners

Adventist HealthCare is pleased to partner with WTOP Radio for the 2009 "Help Stop the Flu" campaign.