The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging all higher education and university students to ensure they are protected against meningitis, measles and HPV ahead of the new academic year.
At this time of year, universities and other institutions can become a hotspot for the spread of Covid, flu, measles, mumps and meningococcal disease.
Students should be up to date on the following free NHS vaccinations:
- MenACWY
- MMR
- HPV
In England, all students are offered the MenACWY vaccine in year nine or 10. However, if it has been missed, it is available to anyone up to their 25th birthday.
Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA Dr Shamez Ladhani says there are usually increases in cases of meningitis when the new term starts:
‘New and returning students from around the country and overseas coming together and mixing means infection spreads easily, with some students becoming seriously ill and tragically in some cases, we see deaths.’
Students are also being asked to double check they have had both doses of MMR as measles outbreaks continue to spread around the country. Anyone can catch up on any missed MMR jabs, regardless of age.
‘I urge young people starting or returning to university to check they’re up to date on their MenACWY, HPV and MMR jabs and to contact their GP if unsure,’ says Dr Ladhani.
For more on these vaccines, visit the NHS website. Plus, look out for the upcoming September/October issue of Community Practitioner for a feature on meningitis with Dr Ladhani.
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