Services
Immunizations & Vaccine Shots
Immunizations and vaccine shots prevent the spread of communicable diseases and help keep you healthy. At First Care Medical Clinic, we offer many routine immunizations and boosters (including flu shots) on a walk-in basis at any of the five North Carolina locations in Monroe, Albemarle, Gastonia, and two offices in Charlotte, as well as our clinic in Rock Hill, South Carolina. We also offer immunizations required for travel, school, and childcare centers.
Book your immunization appointment online or call the office nearest you to schedule.
Immunizations Q&A
Which immunization shots does First Care Medical offer?
First Care Medical Clinic proudly offers a variety of immunizations for children, adults, and seniors. Depending on your vaccination history, health history, and certain risk factors, like your job will help determine which vaccinations you need. Your practitioner may recommend any of the following immunizations:
- Polio
- Shingles
- Seasonal influenza (flu)
- Hepatitis A and B
- Human papillomavirus
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Pneumococcal (pneumonia)
- Meningococcal disease (meningitis)
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP)
If you’re getting ready to travel overseas or work in certain job fields you may be required to have additional vaccines or immunization shots.
How often do I need immunizations?
Vaccine and immunization schedules vary depending on your age, risk factors, and history – it just depends on the immunization. With childhood vaccines, for instance, you may need the initial shot and a few boosters to complete your immunization. Other vaccinations are necessary on a more regular basis. As an example, it’s important to get a tetanus shot about once every 10 years to keep you protected. But the flu shot is necessary every year, since the flu viruses change year after year. First Care Medical Clinic keeps track of immunization records for you and your entire family and lets you know when it’s time for updated vaccines. Learn more about our family and pediatric care services.
How does immunization work?
Immunizations train your immune system to become strong enough to fight off foreign invaders that can make you very ill. These injections each work a little differently.
For instance, live vaccines (such as chickenpox vaccines) include small amounts of weak forms of the virus or bacteria. While you won’t get sick, these invaders are just enough to help your immune system recognize them and learn how to fight them if it needs to in the future.
Inactivated vaccines, like in a polio shot or a flu shot, include molecules called antigens taken from viruses or bacteria. Many of these antigens are isolated proteins or carbohydrates from the pathogen. Your immune system learns to recognize the antigens in the foreign invader and knows to destroy it if it appears in your body again.