Vista Medical Center - Annandale

Few things have changed the course of human health more powerfully than vaccinations. At Vista Medical Center, families in and around Annandale, Virginia, have access to the full range of childhood vaccinations, as well as comprehensive information about the importance of helping your child develop strong immune systems that will provide a lifetime of protection. Learn more during your next visit, which you can book online or over the phone today. Vaccinations Q&A What vaccinations do you offer? Influenza COVID (Moderna) Tdap Varicella Pneumonia Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Typhoid What are vaccinations? Vaccines are injectable solutions that contain a weakened or dead version of a specific virus, bacteria, or toxin. Vaccines provide a safe, controlled opportunity for your body to build a natural defense against common diseases. Vaccination is the term used to describe the process of getting one or more vaccines. Immunization is the term used to describe the biological process of developing immunity through vaccination. These terms are often used interchangeably to discuss the role that vaccines play in developing a strong and healthy immune response. How do vaccines work? The best way to understand vaccines is to think about how your child’s body naturally responds to viral or bacterial infections. When your system identifies a potentially harmful substance, or antigen, it launches a strong immune response. Antibodies are produced to combat that specific antigen. These antibodies “lock on” to the antigen and reduce its ability to do harm. Once your child develops antibodies to a specific antigen, that protection remains in place for the rest of their lives. That’s why there are numerous recommended childhood vaccines, so that your child will be fully armed against the most harmful disease by the time they reach adulthood. This process occurs even without vaccination. The problem with relying solely on your natural immune response is that many diseases are so strong that an infection could overwhelm your child’s system before they can build a natural immune defense. Vaccines deliver a carefully controlled volume of the antigen, acting as a sort of “training run” that enables your child to develop immunity. If your little one ever encounters the full-strength version of those antigens, he or she will be prepared to fight off infection. Why is immunization so important? Getting your child fully vaccinated is the best way to protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. However, the importance of immunization goes far beyond the personal level. When the majority of a population is vaccinated against a specific disease, it becomes very hard for that disease to gain hold within the population. This is called “herd immunity,” and it is the primary reason Americans no longer fear widespread outbreaks of polio, rubella, and many other diseases that once decimated populations. If you have questions or concerns about vaccinations, call Vista Medical Center today. You can schedule an appointment online or by phone, and your child’s pediatrician is happy to discuss the role that childhood vaccination plays in lifelong health.

When you need primary care services, you don’t want to have to wait for your doctor to free up space in your calendar to “squeeze you in.” That cough or sore throat needs to be addressed right away. At Vista Medical Center, we treat a wide range of conditions as a primary care service provider. Whether you are suffering from a cold or are dealing with the pain of arthritis, our medical professionals can help you find relief. And, because we offer the convenience of a walk-in clinic setting, you don’t have to wait for an appointment. If you are dealing with a non-emergency medical issue, Vista Medical Center is ready to help. Give us a call at (703) 687-6791 or contact us online to learn more about our primary care services. You never need an appointment. However, feel free to call us at (703) 762-2628 or contact us online to learn more about our primary care services. Comprehensive Primary Care Services If you are in need of primary care services and don’t want to wait for an appointment, stop in at Vista Medical Center. Because we have an on-site lab and x-ray facility, we can handle all types of medical complaints. Our patients regularly see us for conditions like: preventative health screening and management of chronic conditions such as: high blood pressure high cholesterol diabetes thyroid problems asthma anxiety/depression counseling and medication for: weight loss comprehensive pediatric primary care*** newborn assessments*** all required childhood vaccines*** sick visits*** Whether you are due for your routine labs or have an illness that needs to be checked out, you can visit Commonwealth Medical Center for fast and convenient medical care. Give us a call or contact us online to learn more about our primary care services.

We have an onsite x-ray facility and lab, so all images and blood work can be done right here at our clinic. We also offer telemedicine services for those minor concerns that may not warrant a visit to the Urgent Care Center of Arlington. All of these services are available seven days a week, and we have extended hours in the afternoons and evenings to accommodate busy work schedules. Remember, any of these services can be performed at our urgent care facility. Visit Urgent Care Center of Arlington or call (703) 762-2628 to learn more. Is this an emergency? Call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest Emergency Room if you are experiencing shortness of breath, severe bleeding, chest pain, sudden fainting, numbness or weakness in arms or leg, difficulty walking, or a severe headache. This wide array of services and treatments are all available and being performed by the team at Urgent Care Center of Arlington. Our neighborly staff and convenient location are just a few of the reasons you’ll never have to search for another “urgent care near me” again. We accept insurance. Our location isn’t the only convenient thing about us! Some walk-in or urgent cares won’t take insurance, but here at Urgent Care Center of Arlington, we know the last thing you want to worry about when you or a loved one is ill is a pesky bill. Call 703-762-2628 or contact us online to make sure you’ll be covered. We treat patients of all ages. Unlike other facilities, we don’t have a minimum age requirement for our patients. Urgent Care Center of Arlington is family owned, so we know the value of having a quick, convenient option for children’s medical needs. We offer convenience and accessibility. Our biggest strength is the fact that we’ll always be there. We are open seven days a week (when the doctor’s office isn’t) so you know we are always prepared for a walk-in. If having to make appointments and sort through paperwork has been a hassle for you in the past, our urgent care facility in Arlington can help take away the stress with fast appointment times and friendly customer service. If you have any questions about our location, staff, services, or anything else, please contact us. Our walk-in clinic proudly provides exceptional primary care for families in Arlington, Falls Church, McLean, and the rest of Arlington County and surrounding areas!

We are doing almost exclusively COVID testing and we are working to accommodate a large volume of patients. Is this an emergency? Call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest Emergency Room if you are experiencing shortness of breath, severe bleeding, chest pain, sudden fainting, numbness or weakness in arms or leg, difficulty walking, or a severe headache. What you should know about COVID-19 What kind of COVID-19 is available? Is it reliable? We are providing a COVID-19 rapid antigen test which is made by Quidel and run on the Sofia-2 instrument. This test detects a protein that is located on the virus. Data suggests that this test give results that are as reliable as the PCR testing. Testing too early after exposure can increase the risk of false negatives with any test. If you have been exposed to someone that has tested positive for COVID-19, we recommend waiting at least 5 days after exposure before being tested to avoid false negatives. You need to isolate yourself until you can be tested. A positive result on the antigen test is very accurate. This test looks for specific protein that is only found on the SARS-COV virus. No test is perfect, and things are evolving rapidly in these extraordinary times. More recent data on the Quidel/Sofia rapid antigen test suggests that the results are almost as accurate as the PCR tests. How quickly will I receive my COVID-19 test results? The rapid results are available in 1 to 2 hours. Who can get tested for COVID-19? We recommend that anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 or who has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 should be tested. We will test anyone regardless of age. You do not have to be an Arlington resident to be tested at our clinic. We also provide tests if you need documentation for travel or return to school, and we will provide a print out of results if you require it. If you are unsure if you need a test or not, feel free to call the Urgent Care to discuss your situation with one of our providers. We will make every effort to get back to you and advise you based on your specific situation. We will recommend a test if we feel that you need one. Do I need an appointment for a COVID-19 test? Can I walk-in for a test without an appointment? Due to overwhelming demand, we provide COVID testing by appointment only. We have many appointment slots during the day accommodate as many people that need tests. The scheduled appointments greatly reduce wait time and make the visit and testing process more efficient. How do I make an appointment for a COVID-19 test? The easiest way to make an appointment for a COVID 19 test is by visiting our website and click the “book online” button in the top right corner. Due to the high demand and limited number of appointments, there will be a $50 charge for no-shows or appointments that are cancelled with less than 24 hour notice. This is to ensure that our appointment times are being used to provide tests to people who are requiring them. What is the cost for the COVID test? We will bill your medical insurance for the office visit and COVID testing. Copay/Co-insurance associated with your policy will be billed to you. We accept the following health insurances: Carefirst Anthem BCBS United Healthcare Aetna Medicare (traditional) UMR TriCare (standard) If you do not have insurance, the cost of the visit plus the test is $200. What do I do when I come for my COVID test? Drive in and pull up facing the Urgent Care. Call our main number (571-395-9912) and let us know you are outside for a scheduled covid appointment. Please provide us your name and a description of your vehicle so we can come out and find you. We will assign you a number for identification of your car that will be placed on your windshield during the visit. Please have your government issues photo ID, insurance card, and debit/credit card ready. We will bring out any paperwork or forms that need to be completed. We will take your ID/Insurance cards to scan into our electronic medical record system, and will also process your copay/test fee inside. Once the paperwork is completed, we will start the visit be collecting vitals (temp, oxygen level, and pulse) and collecting the nasal swab for the COVID test. The test takes about 15 minutes to complete. Once the provider on duty has reviewed your test results he or she will come out and complete an evaluation as well a discuss your lab results. The provider will give you any additional instructions based on their assessment and on your test results. You may discuss any concerns with the provider at this time. Please let us know if you require printed documentation of your results (for travel, school, etc…) and we will be happy to provide this. The whole process takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. We appreciate your patience as our staff I working very hard to take care of you as quickly as possible.