Strengthening defenses: The power of flu vaccination and immunology’s role

As flu season approaches, Augusta University’s Immunology Center of Georgia, part of the Medical College of Georgia, is once again emphasizing the importance of vaccination to protect both our campus and the larger community.

Influenza can cause serious health complications, hospitalizations and even death. Klaus Ley, MD, founding co-director of IMMCG, said vaccination plays an essential role in keeping us safe.

“The flu shot isn’t just about personal protection; it’s about community immunity,” Ley said. “By getting vaccinated, we create a barrier that helps prevent the flu from spreading to the most vulnerable among us.”

In partnership with AU Employee Health and Wellness, IMMCG will host its second annual employee flu vaccine clinic from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Nov. 8, in the lobby of the Georgia Cancer Center’s M. Bert Storey Research Building.

All Augusta University employees are encouraged to attend, and no advanced sign-up is required. Be sure to bring a copy of your insurance card and download and fill out the insurance form in advance to save time at the clinic.

Each year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that influenza results in hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and up to 52,000 deaths in the U.S. alone. Vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and complications like pneumonia.

In fact, vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of illness from the flu by 40% to 60% among the overall population, making it an essential tool in maintaining public health, Ley said.

“IMMCG is proud to play our part in helping Augusta University provide accessible options for the campus to strengthen our defenses against the flu,” he said.

Frances Toole, director of Employee Health and Wellness, encourages all employees to take advantage of the clinic or visit her office for walk-in vaccinations. The CDC recommends the annual flu vaccine for everyone over the age of 6 months.

“We’ve made it as easy as possible for AU employees to get vaccinated,” Toole said. “Whether you come to the clinic or stop by our office, getting your flu shot is quick and simple. It’s one of the most effective steps you can take to protect yourself and those around you.”

Employee Health and Wellness, on the first floor of Professional Building One, is open for walk-in flu vaccines from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. No appointments are necessary. Call 706-721-3418 for more information.

Augusta University students can access free flu vaccinations through Student Health Services from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This is a walk-in service; no appointment is required. Student Health Services also offers a variety of mobile clinics throughout the fall. Students may call 706-721-3448 or email the clinic with any questions.

The focus of IMMCG underscores the importance of immunology and vaccine research in protecting against not just the flu, but also many other significant health threats like cancer and heart disease.

Ley and his team are pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the immune system, with the goal of developing better vaccines and treatments.

“As we continue to uncover the immune system’s most intricate mechanisms, we can leverage that knowledge to create more effective therapies and vaccines,” Ley said. “By understanding how immune cells function and communicate, we can tackle some of the most challenging diseases, from cancer to chronic inflammation, including seasonal illnesses like the flu.”

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