Blue Ridge Health-Highlands Cashiers (BRH-HC) has received approval from the State of North Carolina and is expanding their services to include immunizations to be offered at their local site. Board certified physicians Ann Davis, M.D. and Kristy Fincher, D.O., along with their clinical support team will be administering the clinic.
“Having an approved North Carolina Immunization Clinic is a tremendous boost for our community” said Ann Davis, M.D. “This North Carolina approval guarantees that everyone will be seen, and no one will be turned away. This means that every child in our community now has easy access to these very important vaccinations.”
BRH-HC will be offering a full range of vaccinations, immunizations, and services by appointment. These services include “Well Child” appointments for established and new patients, as well as vaccination only appointments. Most of these appointments can be completed within an hour, with some completed in as quickly as fifteen minutes.
“It is very exciting to be able to offer a full range of immunizations at the clinic” said Kristy Fincher, D.O. “Children will now have local access to the vaccinations they will need not only to be able to attend school, but to have the proper foundation for good health as they continue to grow.”
In North Carolina, children are not allowed to attend school (whether public, private, or religious) or a childcare facility, unless they have received all immunizations appropriate for their age. Vaccination records are checked when they enter a childcare facility, when they enter kindergarten, seventh and twelfth grade, as well as when they enter a college or university.
“Providing local access to high quality primary care for everyone is the key reason why our Foundation is funding BRH-HC” said Robin Tindall, CEO & Executive Director of the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation. “With the news of this recent state certification, we are especially pleased that parents will no longer have to travel off the plateau to obtain essential immunizations for their children.”
As part of the North Carolina children’s immunization approval, all patients requesting a vaccination will be accepted regardless of insurance type or status. Appointments will be scheduled on Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. Most appointments can be scheduled within the same week, and walk-in appointments are available. If a patient is from out of state, additional information from their home county health department may be necessary.
Many parents have questions about the vaccines their children need and whether they are up to date with their immunizations. For more information, or to make an appointment with BRH-HC please call 828-482-6160.
| Immunization | Disease | Recommended Time Administered |
| Vaxelis | Hep B, HIB, DTap, Polio | 6 weeks through 4 years of age |
| Kinrix | Dtap and Polio | 4 years through 6 years of age |
| Gardasil 9 | HPV | Starting at age 9 years old |
| Havrix | Hep A | 12 months |
| Engerix-B | Hep B | Birth |
| ProQuad | MMR and Varicella | 12 months through 12 years of age |
| Meningo | Menactra | 9 months through age 55 |
| Prevnar 13 | Pneumococcal | 2 months through 15 months & to older children as needed |
| Rotavirus | Rotateq | 2, 4 and 6 months |
| TD | Bostrix | As early as 10 years of age |
Notes: The above list includes combination vaccines. BRH-HC will offer the individual vaccines as well. COVID vaccines are available for adults.
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About Blue Ridge Health-Highlands Cashiers
Blue Ridge Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) comprised of more than 50 locations in clinics, public schools, and other sites through ten Western North Carolina counties. We work closely with local communities to meet ever-changing healthcare needs with high-quality, compassionate, and affordable services.
The Highlands Cashiers location of Blue Ridge Health is supported by the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation through generous donations from community donors and grants. Located in the Jane Woodruff Clinic on the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital campus, Dr. Ann Davis, Dr. Kristy Fincher, and staff offer a comprehensive continuum of health care services for all ages from infant to seniors, including healthy lifestyles and nutrition programs, screenings, treatments for acute illnesses and minor injuries, physical exams, women’s services, minor office procedures and chronic disease management… all under one roof. Insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid are accepted and a sliding-fee scale is available for eligible patients, ensuring that all people are served regardless of ability to pay. For more information, you may visit www.brchs.com and www.facebook.com/BRCHS.
About Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation
The Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation was established on February 1, 2019, as a 501(c)3 public charity to improve the health and well-being of Highlands, Cashiers and surrounding communities. Together with generous donors, the Foundation aims to make positive and lasting change by supporting projects and programs that improve health and well-being in the communities we serve. Visit www.HCHealthFnd.org and www.facebook.com/HCHealthFnd to join us in Lifting Health and Well-Being, Together.
