The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says that, with lots of people newly coming together in confined environments and close mixing, universities and higher education can be hot spots for meningococcal disease that can cause meningitis and septicaemia as they present the perfect opportunity for infection to spread.
Meningitis and septicaemia can both be fatal or cause life changing disabilities. In England, all students are offered the MenACWY vaccine in school Year 9 or 10, protecting them against 4 different types of meningococcal bacteria. The MenACWY vaccine is available to anyone who missed the vaccine up to their 25th birthday.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: "Ahead of starting an exciting new chapter in their lives, we're encouraging students to make the healthiest start possible by ensuring they are protected against vaccine preventable infectious diseases.
"If you've missed any vaccines, including the MenACWY vaccine, you should arrange to have them as soon as possible with your local GP practice – and don't forget that if you are moving away from home, it's important that you register with a new GP surgery where you are living."
Dr Shamez Ladhani, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: "We usually see increases in cases of meningococcal meningitis after the university term starts in September. 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.”
