Immunizations and Vaccinations
Vaccines are medicines that help your body to fight off infections. Vaccinations (or “immunizations”) are the shots that are used to deliver vaccines to your body.
Vaccines are vitally important to keeping you healthy. Some vaccines provide life-long protection, while others need to be given over a certain timeframe. Still others, such as the flu vaccine, need to be given each year.
Children need vaccinations to protect them from disease as they grow up. Vaccinations are also required for children to be enrolled in school.
We provide immunizations in our offices. Contact one of our family medicine locations to schedule an immunization appointment.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
The COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself, your family and the community. Avance Care is offering the vaccine at several locations in the Triangle and Charlotte regions.
Child Vaccinations
On-time vaccination throughout childhood is essential because it helps provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. Vaccines are tested to ensure that they are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages.
At Avance Care, our policy is that all children should receive immunizations according to the current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). That being said, our first duty is to the child. We welcome families who are hesitant about routine vaccination and who are open to respectful discussion about vaccination beliefs at each visit. In cases where childhood vaccinations are refused, without a documented medical reason, a clinic may elect not to provide care and will refer the family to their local health department for care.
Avance Care supports the right of children 16 years of age and older to choose vaccines for themselves without parental consent.
We look forward to welcoming your family to our practice.
Adult Vaccinations
Adults need to keep their vaccinations up to date because immunity from childhood vaccines can wear off over time. You are also at risk for different diseases as an adult. Vaccination is one of the most convenient and safest preventive care measures available.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) all adults should receive:
- COVID-19 vaccine
- Influenza (flu) vaccine every year
- Td or Tdap vaccine
You may need other vaccines based on your age, health conditions, job, lifestyle or travel habits. Talk to your healthcare professional about which vaccines are right for you.
Travel Vaccinations
Avance Care is pleased to provide travel medicine to our patients who travel internationally. Immunization and medication prescriptions are available on-site. The services are rendered based on CDC recommendations, individual health status and travel circumstances.
Available vaccines include:
• Hepatitis A & B
• Tetanus
• Meningococcal
• Prescription for anti-Malaria medication
For other travel-related vaccines, please visit your local health department.
If you have questions about whether these vaccines are right for you, please consult the Center for Disease Control Website CDC Travelers’ Health, or ask your provider.
We recommend that you make an appointment for travel consultation as soon as possible as some vaccines series require 2 or more vaccinations and can take up to 6 months to complete.