To safeguard themselves against a variety of life-threatening infections, students who will be attending university in September are urged to make sure they are up to date on their vaccinations before Freshers’ Week.
First-year or returning students may be more susceptible to dangerous illnesses including meningitis, septicemia, and measles because of their close contact with many other students from around the nation and beyond.
As many of these infections appear around the beginning of the academic year, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and meningitis charities are advising parents and students to make sure they are protected before the term starts.
The 3 immunizations that students should be up to date on are:
MenACWY protects against four typical strains that cause meningitis and septicemia.
Vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella
HPV (for female students): preventing genital warts as well as cervical and other malignancies brought on by the human papilloma virus (HPV).
Consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, Dr. Shamez Ladhani, stated:
We are aware that colleges and universities may serve as hubs for the transmission of illnesses like measles and meningitis.
Any missing vaccinations should be at the top of any list of necessities to buy for college since they might save your life.
If in doubt, check with your doctor to be sure you have had your MenACWY, MMR, and HPV vaccines prior to the start of the semester.
And meningitis and septicemia symptoms and indications should be known to all pupils. Don’t simply think it’s a hangover or the freshman illness. Keep in frequent contact with sick pals and let them know if you’re unwell.
Since these illnesses may spread quickly, it’s imperative to act quickly to seek medical care. Dial NHS 111 right immediately.
If someone is unclear about their vaccination status, they should check with their general practitioner to make sure they are up to date and protected.
The ideal time for students to get any missing vaccinations is at least two weeks before to departing for college. If that isn’t feasible, they should schedule any missing vaccinations as soon as possible with their existing doctor or, if they are transferring to a different institution, their new doctor’s office.
MenACWY vaccinations are often provided to kids in grades 9 and 10, however some may have declined. Up to the age of 25, anybody who missed out may still get a free vaccination from their doctor.
MenA, MenC, MenW, and MenY are the four most prevalent strains of meningococcal illness (meningitis and septicaemia) that are well protected by the vaccination, although MenB is not one of them.
Since the easing of coronavirus (COVID-19) social restrictions in July 2021, there has been a small increase in meningococcal disease caused by MenB among young adults (60 confirmed cases in 19 to 22-year-olds during the 2021–2022 academic year in England), even though case numbers have remained at relatively low levels across the nation.
Teenagers and current university students will not have received the MenB vaccine, so it is crucial that they are aware of the warning signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicemia in order to seek emergency medical attention if necessary. The UK started routinely immunising infants against MenB in 2015.
Septicemia and meningitis may develop abruptly. A blotchy rash that won’t go away when a glass is rolled over it, a fever, a headache, aching muscles and joints, and a stiff neck are among the symptoms.
Teenagers and young adults who have the MenW strain may also experience nausea and diarrhoea. Hospitalization and urgent antibiotic therapy are essential.
The measles is a virus that is very contagious and has potentially harmful effects. Teenagers and young adults may experience it more severely, which often results in hospital stays. Beginning with cold-like symptoms and painful, red eyes, measles progresses to a high fever and a reddish-brown, blotchy rash.
Head of Evidence and Policy at the Meningitis Research Foundation, Claire Wright, stated:
In its early stages, meningitis may be difficult to differentiate from a terrible hangover or other more frequent, milder infections, and it can kill healthy individuals within hours.
School dropouts who get the free MenACWY vaccination not only save themselves but also others by preventing the spread of the bacterium.
Since MenB, the most frequent cause of life-threatening meningitis in this age range, is not protected by the free vaccination, it is still crucial for people who have previously received it to be aware of the symptoms and indications of meningitis.
After her son Ryan unexpectedly passed away from meningitis, Michelle Bresnahan started the charity A Life for a Cure to raise awareness of the disease.
As you start your university preparations, it’s crucial to make sure that keeping your vaccines up to date is on your to-do list.
Nobody wants to become sick in the first few months, so it’s a fast and simple precaution to make sure you are protected by getting these three shots from your doctor.
But keep in mind that the vaccination does not protect against MenB meningococcal illness. It’s crucial that you get familiar with the warning signs and symptoms, which include fever, painful muscles and joints, a stiff neck, and a blotchy rash that doesn’t go away when a glass is rolled over it. By doing so, you or a friend’s life could be saved.
Dr. Tom Nutt, the CEO of Meningitis Now, said:
It’s crucial that young people take advantage of the chance to get a MenACWY vaccination while at school. Furthermore, relatively few young individuals in the UK will have had the MenB vaccination, which protects against the strain that leads to the majority of instances of bacterial meningitis.
Even while many young people will have had the MenACWY vaccine at school, our projections indicate that up to 500,000 persons under the age of 25 may not have received this crucial shot. If it is you, speak with your doctor to see if you can get your immunizations up to date.
This is especially crucial if you want to continue your study and live in university residence halls. At meningitisnow.org, you may learn more about the symptoms and indications of meningitis.