All young people entering University should be up to date with the following vaccinations:-

• Meningitis ACWY – 1 injection
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) – 2 injections

These may have been given as part of your childhood immunisations or prior to leaving to come to the U.K.  It is important that you check your medical records to see if and when you have been vaccinated and have this information available prior to your health check.  If you have not been vaccinated or are not sure, then see the nurse to discuss further.

Meningitis and Meningococcal Septicaemia (blood poisoning) are serious diseases.  Meningitis causes inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord and can be life threatening.  It can be spread by droplet infection e.g. coughs/sneezes, kissing.  You are particularly vulnerable when in large groups of people.  Most cases happen alone, but there is a small chance that further cases may occur.

Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) – Mumps is an acute viral illness that causes headaches, painful swollen glands and fever.  It is spread by coughing, sneezing and kissing.  In rare cases it can cause viral meningitis, inflammation of the ovaries, testicles and in rare cases the pancreas.

If you have not had two doses of MMR and in the last few weeks had one dose of Meningitis ACWY booster  then make an appointment with the nurse at the University Health Centre now. 

We have had outbreaks of Mumps for the past few years and the best course of protection is immunisation.