The Moore County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) has received recognition for its response to the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic.

The Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps and the office of the U.S. Surgeon General have awarded a certificate of appreciation to MRC for service to the community.

Moore County MRC volunteers were instrumental in helping the Health Department conduct H1N1 immunization clinics in public and private schools for children in kindergarten through 12th grade. Strike teams composed of Health Department employees, Public Health Response and Surveillance Team Region 3 staff, Moore Regional Hospital nurses and MRC volunteers, in partnership with school personnel, worked together to vaccinate children.

By the end of the school vaccination campaign in February, 6,457 vaccinations had been provided, and 33.5 percent of Moore County schoolchildren had been vaccinated against H1N1 influenza.

The Moore County MRC is a local branch of the national MRC and a partner program of the Citizens Corps, a national network of volunteers dedicated to ensuring hometown security in emergency and nonemergency situations. It was initiated by MooreHealth Inc. and is administered by the Health Department.

Anyone needing more information about the MRC can contact Matt Garner at (910) 947-4512.