Methodist Healthcare Ministries Partners with H-E-B Pharmacy and Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District to Provide Vaccines
San Antonio, Texas, May 21, 2019- Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., partnered with Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District and H-E-B Pharmacy to conduct an immunization drive at Laura Ingalls Wilder Intermediate School to provide sixth-grade students with an opportunity to receive the required and recommended immunizations needed before entering the seventh grade.
“Methodist Healthcare Ministries is committed to increasing access to care for the least served and this opportunity to give back to the community aligns directly with our mission and vision as an organization,” said Jaime Wesolowski, president & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “Immunizations are critically important to safeguard our community against harmful diseases and we are proud to partner with H-E-B Pharmacy and the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City I.S.D. to offer these students and families a chance to be protected.
The vaccines were administered by Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ School Based Health Center and H-E-B Pharmacy personnel. The following immunizations were made available: Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis), MCV4 (Meningococcal) and HPV (Human Papillomavirus). The Tdap and MCV4 are required immunizations for all students and the HPV Vaccine is recommended to protect against HPV cancers.
45 students received vaccinations during the immunizations drive and nearly 87 percent received the HPV Vaccine. The HPV vaccination protects against the Human Papillomavirus and the cancers it can cause. More than 33,000 men and women get HPV cancers in the United States each year and the vaccine prevents up to 90 percent of HPV cancers. Wesolowski added, “The HPV vaccines are an important tool in our toolkit to help prevent the spread of cancer and, as a survivor of an HPV cancer myself, I know the dangers posed by this disease. The time to act is now.”
These immunizations were provided at no cost and were available whether or not the student had health insurance coverage. Methodist Healthcare Ministries offered to pay any costs not covered by a student’s insurance plan and for any children who do not have health insurance coverage.
"We are thankful for this longstanding partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries and Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD,” said Dr. Greg Gibson, superintendent of SCUC ISD. “This collaboration allows us to help our students fulfill their lifelong potential, including their health and social-emotional well-being."
“We are proud to partner with Methodist Healthcare Ministries to provide this vital service as part of our commitment to health and wellness in the communities we serve,” said Craig Norman, senior vice president, H-E-B Pharmacy.
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Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is a private, faith-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for the uninsured through services, community partnerships and strategic grant-making in 74 counties across South Texas. Methodist Healthcare Ministries seeks to improve the physical, mental and spiritual health of those least served in the Rio Texas Conference area of The United Methodist Church in order to fulfill its mission of "Serving Humanity to Honor God." The mission includes Methodist Healthcare Ministries' one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit www.mhm.org.