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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

No, no I am not... if you have a DC heading off to Uni

81 replies

SoupDragon · 22/08/2017 13:31

... please get them vaccinated with the Men ACWY vaccine.

DS1 is off this October and he only received the Men C as part of the routine Y10 vaccinations.

The sad death of CatThiefKeith reminded me to check what vaccinations he had.

OP posts:
ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay · 22/08/2017 17:42

Please also look at men b. You will have to pay for it though but it is worth every penny. Babies are now routinely vaccinated on the NHS for men b so it is a valid concern as the effects can be devastating.

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 22/08/2017 18:55

The sad death of CatThiefKeith what? when?

IncyWincyGrownUp · 22/08/2017 19:08

Last week Step. There's a thread in chat :(

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 22/08/2017 19:19

Thanks Incy

newpup · 22/08/2017 19:55

Arethereanyleftatall yes that is why, at the ages of 17-19 they are likely to be in very close proximity to others i.e. In student accommodation Smile

newpup · 22/08/2017 20:03

Gene. I am sorry about your son.

Original poster
SoupDragon · 23/08/2017 09:04

Bump

OP posts:
sashh · 23/08/2017 09:11

I wish the Government would advertise that teenagers who missed out should arrange to get it.

They do.

There are posters in most university halls of residence

ssd · 23/08/2017 09:19

good thread soupy.

Original poster
SoupDragon · 23/08/2017 09:25

I think the problem with advertising it to the students themselves is that they don't know if they had it, they don't particularly care and getting them to make the appointment is hard enough with a parent nagging them

it would be good if schools reminded pupils and parents as part of their "going to university" talks.

OP posts:
laundryelf · 23/08/2017 09:35

Our GP practice in North West England wrote to my DS in July so his was done last week. So lots of GP surgeries are aware. The letter also said get it done early so fully effective in time for university start. Happy that I pushed him to get it done ASAP as he is off to university in Scotland so only 15 days to go!

Datun · 23/08/2017 09:37

Gosh. Thank you for this. I had no idea.

NeedMoreSleepOrSugar · 23/08/2017 09:48

Thank you for this, I have two close relatives going to uni and have reminded both (and their parents)

TheSecondOfHerName · 23/08/2017 09:49

DS1 (going into Y13) had MenACWY at school. I hadn't realised that his was the first year group to have it en masse.

Triskaidekaphilia · 23/08/2017 09:50

I'm 27 and I work in a university, am I at risk or is this only a problem in younger people? Sorry if this is a really stupid question, I've just never heard of the vaccine before.

Original poster
SoupDragon · 23/08/2017 09:57

I think students are particularly at risk due to the living arrangements. The NHS link did say that age played a part too though.

OP posts:
Knope2020 · 23/08/2017 10:07

Ds1 had his earlier this year...he is 14
Will he need another at 18 then?

Knope2020 · 23/08/2017 10:09

Gene....so sorry. 💐

TonicAndTonic · 23/08/2017 10:12

The other one students are at risk of catching at uni is mumps if they haven't been vaccinated for whatever reason. And it's pretty unpleasant if you get it as an adult.

SandyDenny · 23/08/2017 10:13

My surgery is sending letters to all 10 year olds asking them to make an appointment for the vaccination. A friend at a different doctors has had to start trying to get it done privately as they don't offer it. You'd think it should be standard for all practices.

AnnieAnoniMouse · 23/08/2017 10:17

What? Fuck. Shit. CatThiefKeith. This was not the way to find out 😢 Can someone link please.

Knope2020 · 23/08/2017 10:18

Ds had it done at school...

SuperBeagle · 23/08/2017 10:23

My dad died from meningococcal meningitis (and ultimately septicaemia) in 1995. The doctors who were looking after him while he was on life support said that his condition was the equivalent of "living in hell".

He was a young, very fit, active and seemingly healthy 36 year old.

We're fortunate to have vaccines for these things now.

SapphireStrange · 23/08/2017 10:29

What? Fuck. Shit. CatThiefKeith. This was not the way to find out 😢 Can someone link please.

Yes. Shock What the fuck?!?!

grannytomine · 23/08/2017 10:32

My DD went to university ten years ago so this wasn't available. She got meningitis within 6 weeks of arriving at uni. The late night phone call, the updates from staff, waiting for the ambulance, another phone call to say she was on IV antibiotics and they were getting her in the ambulance, the 300 mile drive, leaving my 15 year old at home alone for nearly a week. If you can avoid that why wouldn't you and that isn't even taking into account the pain she went through, the having to drop out and restart the next year.

The sudden realisation that all that worry about A level grades was nothing compared to what can happen. If they work hard for 2 years to get there why risk it?

Good luck to all off to uni or parents with kids off to uni and I hope you have a happy healthy time.

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