Immunizations are a crucial component of preventive medicine. You can reduce the risk of contagious illness by getting vaccinated and protecting your loved ones, along with the community. At North Moore Family Practice, family medicine specialists Vonda Reives, FNP-C, and Kristin Hockersmith, FNP, provide immunizations to people of all ages. They can develop a vaccine schedule that aligns with your needs. To make an appointment, call the office in Robbins, North Carolina, or book online today.
Immunizations (vaccines) train your immune system to defend itself against invaders like viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
Vaccines are administered through injections or nasal sprays. When they enter your body, they trigger the production of antibodies –– proteins that fight off pathogens.
Immunizations won’t necessarily prevent you from getting sick, but they can reduce the risk of potentially serious side effects, like hospitalization or premature death.
Immunizations expose your immune system to a harmless version of a specific disease. Depending on the vaccine, the formula might include:
Your body responds to immunization by producing proteins called antibodies. If you encounter the disease in the future, your immune system knows how to respond.
North Moore Family Practice recommends that everyone get the following immunizations:
If you’re 50 or older, your provider might also recommend the herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine.
Immunizations are safe and present few risks. Before any vaccine is released to the public, it undergoes testing in clinical trials. What’s more, regulatory authorities, like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), conduct extensive studies, exams, and research.
It’s riskier to avoid immunizations than it is to get them. If you’re exposed to a potentially deadly disease and don’t have any immunity, you’re more likely to require hospitalization.
After you get an immunization, it’s normal to experience mild side effects like pain, redness, or sensitivity at the injection site. You might also experience:
These symptoms should subside within 24 hours, but they can be uncomfortable. Get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, and take a day or two off of work or school.
The immunizations you need depend on your age and medical history. After a review of your records and a discussion of your lifestyle, your North Moore Family Practice provider develops a custom immunization schedule.
Get your immunizations at North Moore Family Practice. Make an appointment by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.