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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:
RaptorInaPorkPieHat · 23/08/2017 10:35

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/3009823-Bereavement-of-mumsnetter-Catthiefkeith?msgid=71352394

Link to thread for those that have missed the sad news. Sad

DD is 16, but I'll be checking her vaccinations are up to date.

WhoremoaneeGrainger · 23/08/2017 10:37

CatThiefKeith has passed away? Shit!!! Shock I know i havent been around much as i've been unwell, and i'm a lurker more than a poster but ........crap! How? When?

TressiliansStone · 23/08/2017 10:44

On Friday, WhoremoaneeGrainger. Meningitis. Just like that.Sad

SapphireStrange · 23/08/2017 10:48

Thank you, Raptor. What a shock. How appalling for her family.

Everytimeref · 23/08/2017 10:51

Two students have died of meningitis at my DD college in the last two years but the college hasn't really campaigned to make students aware of the jab.
I am seriously considering paying for the meningitis B jab.

vikingprincess81 · 23/08/2017 10:54

Yes, yes yes yes yes. Excellent post Flowers

Original poster
SoupDragon · 23/08/2017 11:34

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

No. I think this cohort is the last who did not have it routinely as part of the vaccination schedule as the vaccine is newish. DS1 only received the MenC one as far as I can tell. DS2 who is 2 years younger probably received Men ACWY (although he lost the info card that said what he had!)

OP posts:
Original poster
SoupDragon · 23/08/2017 11:35

I am seriously considering paying for the meningitis B jab.

I am too now. I will make DS ask about this when he phones the practice nurse later.

OP posts:
Original poster
SoupDragon · 23/08/2017 11:40

It doesn't seem that Men B is seen as necessary for this age group. From meningitis.org

However, in the UK the JCVI concluded that there was not enough evidence about the extent to which the MenB vaccine would stop teenagers from carrying and transmitting the bug, nor how long vaccination would directly protect this age group. In order to answer these questions, the UK government has commissioned a study to investigate whether vaccinating adolescents could stop them acquiring the bacteria and carrying them in their throats. If this was the case, then vaccinating teenagers could be the most effective way of protecting everybody because they are the age group largely responsible for transmitting the bacteria amongst the population. A study is currently taking place in Australia which also aims to answer this question.

OP posts:
DesignedForLife · 23/08/2017 11:46

YADNBU.

My brother died from Meningitis, it was very quick. He was 16. If you think your kid had flu and they start vomiting violently and crying in pain or show any other symptoms don't wait for a rash, or anything else for that matter.

DesignedForLife · 23/08/2017 11:48

And from my understanding the bacteria is most commonly passed on through saliva - kissing, sharing drinks, sharing lipsalve etc. All activities uni students are potentially engaging in.

Knope2020 · 23/08/2017 12:03

I got both mine vaccinated against men b last year at boots
It was after that high profile case of the young girl :(
It cost £440 for both of them x 2 jabs

TressiliansStone · 23/08/2017 13:22

Bumping this.

Original poster
SoupDragon · 23/08/2017 16:53

Sneaky bump.

DS has booked his for next week.

OP posts:
TressiliansStone · 23/08/2017 22:17

Bumpity bump.

Sparklingbrook · 23/08/2017 22:24

DS1 (18) had his the week before last. I just rang the GP surgery and he had the jab an hour later. He got a little certificate that he has to take to Uni with him.

seasidesally · 23/08/2017 22:47

my son 18yrs old got the letter today had no idea how important it was and he will be doing a 3rd year at college from september

thanks for this thread will make an appoitment tomorrow

Original poster
SoupDragon · 23/08/2017 23:27

He got a little certificate

Was it an "I was brave" certificate? :o

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 24/08/2017 00:12

When the nurse said ' I have a certificate for you' I thought the same. And that he might get a sticker. The certificate actually looks like a parking ticket. Confused

His arm 'really hurt' for 2 days and he milked it for all it was worth. Hmm

BeALert · 24/08/2017 01:43

Can I also point out that teens who are going to boarding school should also have this vaccination?

CiderwithBuda · 24/08/2017 03:12

DS was to have it done in school last year - Year 11 - but missed it as he was off ill. We have had a letter from NHS reminding us to get it done.

I wasn't aware we could have the Men B one but will ask about that. Happy to pay if necessary.

BeALert - the jab is being given through schools so maybe that is happening. DS is a day pupil at a boarding school.

QueenOfVipers · 24/08/2017 08:26

Where my cousin lives (in qld, Aus) there are tv adverts for the Meningococcal vaccines.
Is that the same thing? Sorry to sound dim

Original poster
SoupDragon · 24/08/2017 08:39

It's possibly the same. "The Men ACWY vaccine is highly effective against serious infections caused by four different meningococcal groups (A, C, W and Y)."

OP posts:
Original poster
SoupDragon · 24/08/2017 17:52

Last bump.

OP posts:
tehmina23 · 24/08/2017 18:07

I went to uni as an adult (24) and was still given the menC jab.

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