New university students urged to receive meningococcal C vaccine

Public Health England is calling on students beginning university in September to ensure they are immunised against meningococcal C infections before enrolling.

Freshers are being encouraged to get a booster of the vaccine before they begin university, even if they already received it as a child, due to the health risk posed by the high number of new people with whom they will soon be interacting.

All children in the UK are offered the meningococcal C vaccine to protect them against infection but a booster for teenagers was added last year, recognising the fact that the protection offered by the vaccine can wane over time.

For the next few years, university freshers will also be eligible for vaccination, a measure that will remain in place until teenagers who have had the booster reach university age.

Dr Shamez Ladhani, an expert on meningococcal disease for Public Health England, said: "Anyone starting university without the booster should arrange to get it as soon as possible, via their university or college health centre or GP. If in doubt, there is no harm in having an extra dose."

The vaccine offers protection against meningitis and septicaemia, both of which can have a devastating impact on health among young people.