Young people across the South West are being urged to ensure they are vaccinated against meningitis and other diseases before the start of the academic year.
Almost 26% of youngsters are at risk from potentially life-threatening and life-changing infections, due to a 73.9% vaccine uptake.
The NHS schools MenACWY immunisation programme is offered to all pupils in years 9 and 10.
UKHSA vaccine coverage 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.
The latest 2021-2022 MenACWY coverage data shows the vaccination rate has fallen to 79.6% for England, which means that the 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.
All first-year students starting college or university this September and returning students who are not up to date with all their childhood and adolescent vaccines are at increased risk of serious diseases such as meningitis, septicaemia, and measles as they mix with large numbers of other students from around the country and overseas.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging all students and young people to ensure they are up to date with all free routine NHS vaccines and to know the signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia as it could help save a life.
The three vaccines students should be up to date with before starting university or college include:
- MenACWY – which protects against four common strains causing meningitis and septicaemia
- MMR – which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella
- HPV – which protects against human papillomavirus (HPV) related cancers such as cervical cancer and other cancers of the head, neck and genital areas, and genital warts.
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.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, uptake for routine childhood immunisations fell globally, leaving many children unprotected from serious infections and countries at increased risk of outbreaks.
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.
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.”
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.
The vaccine provides high protection against four common strains that cause meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) – MenA, MenC, MenW and MenY – but does not protect against all strains, like MenB, which is often common among students.
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.
Urgent antibiotic treatment and hospitalisation is critical. If you have concerns for yourself or a friend don’t hesitate to seek urgent medical help.
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.”
