Get your free meningitis vaccine to protect yourself and others.
Freshers are being urged by Public Health England to get a vaccine against meningitis. The vaccination, called Men ACWY, is free for freshers under 25 and protects against the four main strands of meningitis (Men) A, C, W and Y and septicaemia.
The urge for students to get the vaccine before Freshers’ Week comes after a rapid increase in cases of (Men) W disease in England and Wales, caused by a particularly severe strain of bacteria. Cases have risen from 22 in 2009 to over 200 within the last year.
So, why are students being targeted? After children under 5, students are the second most susceptible to meningitis. This is due to being in close proximity with lots of new people which create the perfect conditions for meningitis to spread quickly. Students are also more likely to carry meningoccoal bacteria in the back of their throats. By targeting young people, the aim is to reduce the rapid spread of (Men) W disease.
We also want to make sure that everyone is aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis and what to do in an emergency. The University have put together a very useful page which is definitely worth a look. Meningitis now also have a brilliant app on recognising the symptoms.
If you haven’t already, we highly encourage you to get the Men ACWY vaccine before arriving here in September. Meningitis can develop rapidly and be deadly. Not only will you be protecting yourself but those around you too.
University page
Menigitis now app