MHCA and LTCOP Power of Care Vaccination Campaign Featured at Maine Public Health Association Conference

• By: Angela Westhoff
• On: 10/08/2024 15:55:36
• In: COVID-19

The Maine Public Health Association held its 40^th Annual Conference on October 2, 2024 at the Holiday Inn by the Bay. Angela Westhoff, MHCA President and CEO presented in a breakout session on The Power of Care: A Joint Campaign to Promote Voluntary Resident Vaccinations in Long Term Care. This campaign is a joint effort of the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program and the Maine Health Care Association with grant funding from Maine DHHS.

This multi-year project included peer to peer ambassadors, dedicated outreach, and a social media campaign to promote COVID-19 and flu vaccination for long term care residents. The campaign time frame coincided with a 39% increase in resident COVID vaccination rates. Other notable results include 1/3 of all long term care centers in Miane having a Power of Care ambassador and 100% of all homes received direct communication with one of two outreach nurses. The presentation was co-authored with Brenda Gallant, Executive Director of the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program and Maureen “Moe” Carland, Director of Quality and Regulator Affairs at MHCA. 

Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org