Students encouraged to get 3 important vaccinations before university term starts

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are urging new university students to ensure they are vaccinated before Fresher's Week.

The UKHSA advise that the 3 vaccines students should get up to date with are:

1. MenACWY – protecting against 4 common strains causing meningitis and septicaemia
2. MMR – protecting against measles, mumps, rubella
3. HPV (for female students) – protecting against cervical and other cancers caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) together with genital warts

It is well known that first year students, especially those living in halls, are more at risk of these serious illnesses, as they mix with new people from around the country and across the globe at university.

Meningitis can be a devastating illness that develops quickly and may be mistaken for other illnesses such as 'Fresher's Flu'. The Meningitis Research Foundation have produced two posters aimed at university students.