Vaccinations and Protective Care in Pennsylvania | AFC Urgent Care

Convenient, Respectful Walk-In Services You Can Trust

Disease treatments have come a long way, but the best way to combat serious health issues is to eliminate them. Thanks to advances in medical research and science over the decades, we have vaccines that can protect us from many life-threatening infections. Our team at AFC Urgent Care locations in Pennsylvania is aiding in this endeavor by providing convenient and affordable walk-in vaccinations and immunizations to help the body’s immune system fight illnesses before they can threaten your or your loved one’s health.

Whether you need a specific vaccination, your child is due for scheduled annual immunizations, or you want to ensure your family is up to date on shots, we encourage you to visit our walk-in care clinic. Besides providing urgent care services in Pennsylvania, we also offer primary care, preventative care, and even COVID-19 testing for your entire family. Not sure if you can afford it? We work with the majority of larger (and some smaller) insurance companies and plans.

Call one of our centers with any questions about coverage or immunizations. We encourage you to call ahead to ensure we have the vaccinations you are looking for currently available. Find a location near you today!

Why Do I Need Vaccinations?

Amid a global health crisis, we’re reminded of why it’s vital to receive vaccinations and encourage others to do the same: To prevent the spread of extremely harmful diseases. Vaccinations also help to eliminate dangerous and sometimes fatal illnesses and keep them from affecting others. If not for many vaccines developed over the last century, our world would look much different, and many people wouldn’t have very long lifespans.

When germs from an infection or disease enter your body, they multiply rapidly and attack healthy cells. Your immune system is adept at getting rid of germs it recognizes as bad; however, if it doesn’t have the proper antibodies to fight specific invaders, this can cause you to get very sick. Vaccinations act to introduce your immune system to weakened, non-viable strains of a disease, helping your body learn how to destroy these same germs in the future, i.e., creating antibodies.

Some of our most common walk-in vaccinations in Pennsylvania include:

• Influenza (flu shot)
• Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR)
• Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP or Tdap)
• Meningitis
• Varicella (chickenpox)
• Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B
• Pneumococcal
• Polio
• Yellow Fever

Do Vaccines Have Any Side Effects?

Because vaccines enter your body as a foreign substance, you could experience minor side effects that generally subside within a few hours to a few days. When you visit AFC Urgent Care locations in Pennsylvania for an immunization, your medical professional will discuss any possible side effects specific to the vaccine you are receiving.

It isn’t unusual to experience one or more of the following minor side effects:

• Pain, irritation, or swelling at the injection site
• Joint or muscle aches
• Mild fever
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Chills

Vaccines rarely cause serious or underlying issues. They are much safer for your body than the diseases they prevent, so a minor side effect isn’t a cause for a lot of concern. In fact, for every million vaccinations administered, only one to two people may have a severe allergic reaction or another minor side effect. Contact your primary care physician if you have any questions about possible side effects or if you experience severe side effects following immunization.

Children & Immunizations

When children are born, some inherited protections—or antibodies necessary for fighting diseases—are passed to them from their mothers. These antibodies are present in breastmilk but only offer temporary security. Vaccinations are a more permanent and necessary source of protection from deadly illnesses for your children.

Not only do vaccinations protect a relatively new immune system, but they also prevent children from spreading germs and infecting other children. Most essential immunizations should be received by 6 years old. Your doctor should have a record of your children’s immunizations if you’re unsure they’ve all been completed. It’s vital to keep an accurate record of all immunizations and when they were received, so you’ll have the information readily available whenever you need it. For instance, before enrolling your children into school, many require specific vaccines and an updated record of all vaccinations received. Unimmunized children put others at risk of contracting potentially fatal diseases.

The medical team at AFC Urgent Care locations in Pennsylvania is here to answer any questions you have about immunizations, including which ones are recommended for specific ages and how often they should be administered.

For convenient walk-in vaccinations and immunizations in Pennsylvania, visit our clinic or call one of our centers today.