NHS B&NES Clinical Commissioning Group is urging parents to ensure their teenagers make an appointment with their GP as soon as possible to be vaccinated against Meningitis W.
The NHS has introduced a national programme to immunise children and teenagers against Meningitis W, starting with an urgent catch-up programme for teenagers aged 17 and 18.
All teenagers born between 01 September 1996 and 31 August 1997 are being offered the vaccination as a priority, including those going to university in the autumn.
The vaccination is also available to all young adults up to the age of 25 years if they are starting university for the first time.
Students are advised to get the vaccination before they go to university, ideally two weeks in advance.
If for any reason students do miss out they will be able to register with a GP at university and get the vaccination there.
As well as Meningitis W, the new vaccination also protects against other forms of meningococcal disease types A, C and Y. Meningitis can be deadly and survivors are often left with severe disabilities.
The combined vaccine is being introduced in response to a rapidly growing increase of cases of a highly aggressive strain of meningococcal disease, group W.
Cases have been increasing year-on-year, from 22 cases in 2009 to 117 in 2014, and Meningitis W is currently responsible for around a quarter of all laboratory-confirmed meningococcal cases in England.
Elizabeth Beech, Prescribing Advisor at the CCG, said it is important that everyone in this age group gets vaccinated now.
She said: “Young people at university are particularly vulnerable to Meningitis W because they are living in close proximity with other students and this makes it easier to catch the disease.
“However it is important that all 17 and 18-year-olds get the vaccination even if they are not going to university as they are still vulnerable to the disease.
“We must all remain alert to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease and seek urgent medical attention if there is any concern.
“The disease develops rapidly and early symptoms can include headache, vomiting, muscle pain and fever with cold hands and feet.
“Be aware of all signs and symptoms and trust your instincts – don’t wait for a rash to develop before seeking urgent medical attention.”
The vaccination programme was announced in June 2015 and teenagers will be offered the combined vaccination in stages over the next six months, either by a GP practice vaccination programme or as part of the school vaccination programme.
You can find out more about meningitis here: