South West students urged to get vaccinated ahead of new academic year

It's as new data from the UK Health Security Agency in the South West has revealed 1 in 4 people in our region is missing their MenACWY vaccine

Author: Oliver MorganPublished 25th Aug 2023

A quarter of young people are at risk of potentially life-threatening and life-changing infections, according to a new study.

The UK Health Security Agency have found large numbers of students heading to uni aren't up to date with their vaccinations.

They're urging everyone to check they're up to date against meningitis and other diseases before the start of the academic year.

It's as, in the South West, the UKHSA have revealed almost 26% of young people are at risk from these potentially life-threatening and life-changing infections, with a vaccine uptake of 73.9%.

UKHSA South West, alongside leading meningitis charities, are joining calls ahead of the new academic year to help stop the spread of diseases like meningitis, measles and rubella.

The NHS schools MenACWY immunisation programme is offered to all pupils in year 9 and 10, however new data shows around 1 in 8 new students nationally going to college and university this year remain unprotected against these four strains of meningococcal bacteria - which can cause long term disability, serious health complications and can be life threatening.

It's predicted that figure will rise to around one in five pupils being unprotected when they start college or university in a few years’ time if they don’t catch-up with their vaccinations.

The three vaccines students should be up to date with before starting university or college include:

  • MenACWY – protecting against four common strains causing meningitis and septicaemia
  • MMR – protecting against measles, mumps, and rubella
  • HPV – protecting against human papilloma virus (HPV) related cancers such as cervical cancer and other cancers of the head, neck and genital areas, and genital warts.

Stats in the South West

In recent years the number of children vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella has fallen.

Uptake for the first dose of the MMR vaccine in 2-year-olds in the South West is 93.2%, and uptake of two MMR doses at 5 years is 90.6%, below the 95% target set by the World Health Organization (WHO) which is necessary to achieve and maintain elimination.

Following the COVID-19 outbreak, it has been revealed that measles is now circulating in many countries around the world and the WHO has warned that Europe is likely to see a resurgence unless countries catch-up children who missed out.

HPV vaccine uptake is also concerning in the South West, with around 33% of female pupils not fully protected, and almost 38% of male students not fully vaccinated.

The NHS South West Vaccination and Screening team will be visiting Fresher's Fairs at universities and colleges across the South West in September to encourage students to check their vaccine records and book appointments too.

'Ensuring you are protected against these deadly bugs is vital'

Dr Julie Yates, Consultant in Public Health at UKHSA South West said: “Every year we see new and returning students get seriously ill, with some tragically dying, from what are preventable diseases.

“With large numbers of students coming together from around the country and overseas for the first time, and closely mixing, infection can spread easily.

“Ensuring you are protected against these deadly bugs is vital. If you’ve missed out on your Meningitis (MenACWY), HPV or MMR jabs then contacting your GP for the vaccine should be top of your list of urgent things to do before starting college or university.”

Michelle Bresnahan, who founded Bristol based meningitis awareness charity A Life for a Cure following the sudden death of her son Ryan to MenB, said: “It’s important to make sure that getting up to date with your vaccinations is on your to-do list as you begin your preparations for university. Checking with your GP that you have these free vaccines is a quick and easy way to keep yourself safe.

“Remember though, not all types of meningococcal disease are covered by the vaccine, including MenB. So, it’s vital you get to know the signs and symptoms, including a blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it, fever, aching muscles and joints and a stiff neck. Doing so could save your life or that of a friend.”

'It's important to be aware of the signs'

Claire Wright, Head of Insights and Policy at Meningitis Research Foundation, said: "Meningitis can kill healthy people within hours and in the early stages is difficult to distinguish from a bad hangover or more common milder illnesses. By taking up the free MenACWY vaccine, students are not only protecting themselves but also protecting others by stopping the bacteria from being passed on.

“For young people who have already been vaccinated it remains important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis because the free vaccine does not protect against MenB, which is the most common cause of life-threatening meningitis amongst this age group."

The MenACWY vaccine is routinely offered to those in school years 9 and 10 but anyone who has missed out can still get a free jab with their GP until their 25th birthday.

Meningitis and septicaemia can develop suddenly.

Symptoms include a blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it, fever, headache, aching muscles and joints and a stiff neck.

The MenW strain can also cause vomiting and diarrhoea in teenagers and young adults.

The Tackle Meningitis campaign is hoping to catch people up with their vaccinations

Meningitis Now Chief Executive, Dr Tom Nutt, said: “We know vaccination is the best way to protect against the devastation that meningitis can cause. Over many years the NHS’s vaccination programme has resulted in a steady drop in the number of cases of the disease, with countless lives saved as a result.

“But more needs to be done. We estimate that up to half a million young people currently aged between 18 to 24 years old may have missed their MenACWY vaccine at school. In addition, we are growing increasingly concerned about the recent rise in meningitis cases across the UK. While the number of cases is still below those recorded pre-pandemic, any increase in the disease is worrying.

“As part of the ‘Tackle Meningitis’ campaign we’re calling on everyone to take advantage of the MenACWY vaccination when it is offered, and please do check your vaccine status with your GP.

“And with no vaccine available to protect against all types of meningitis, we’re also urging everyone to learn the signs and symptoms and to seek urgent medical attention if meningitis is suspected.”

For further information about the routine vaccine schedule, visit the NHS website, where you can find out more information about the MenACWY vaccine, MMR vaccine, and HPV vaccine.

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.