Genuine question about new meningitis vaccination for teenagers

[ArgyMargy]

From the NHS website: Students going away to university or college for the first time as freshers should contact their GP to have the Men ACWY vaccine, ideally before the start of the academic year. Students in their second year or above of university do not need the vaccine and are not included in this programme.

Can anyone tell me why 2nd and 3rd students are magically immune to meningitis?

Because they will have already been exposed to the virus and will have built up some immunity.

That makes no sense to me. The virus does not just inhabit university buildings! I think I may put this on AIBU for more traffic!!

"The bacteria are spread by exchanging respiratory and throat secretions (saliva or spit) during close (for example, coughing or kissing) or lengthy contact, especially if living in the same household."

So new students in halls or snogging each other, are at risk more than those living at home.

it doesn't make any sense, you are absolutely right.

I think this is based on a financial reason. Epidemiology reports have certainly showed a spike in the 1st year, so it is given to them. I would happily pay for my son to have it .

It's just 1st years are statistically vulnerable. I shall pay for dS (2nd year) and dd ( postgrad) because whilst they aren't an nhs priority, they are mine :)

WE have been offered it for DS1 who has not long turned 16.

They say you are at reduced risk once you are in 2nd year as you have often built up some immunity to the bacterium. Funnily enough I have just been speaking to my son about this. I am going to get him the vaccine anyway as I would rather reduce the risk substantially. Eventually they will be giving it to everyone in years S3 to S6 (years 10-13)

I'm stropping about this atm

DD is going in to first year after doing a foundation type year; last year she was 16, & quite naive this year she will be nearly 18.....I think this year she will be at far greater risk

So I'll be paying Boots £70 to get it done

I just don't understand how they think they will achieve desired levels of herd immunity by vaccinating maybe a quarter of students at the very most. It's not like they don't all mix together!

This age group are statistically most likely to carry men w so by vaccinating this age group is the most cost effective way to protect babies, toddlers, older students, older people, by stopping this age group (first year students) getting the disease and therefore passing it on. It's not being given to protect your child, it's being given to the fewest numbers of people, in the cheapest way to reduce the most cases of this disease.

How safe is this vaccine and how long has it been tested for? I don't particularly want my child to blindly have this without knowing all the facts.

ILoveApples, my child comes into the school age group targeted for this vaccine, like you I wonder about the safety, I have a few other issues too and I will not be consenting.

I thought I was being pfb about this, glad to see this thread. DS going into second year and he had the MenC jab last year.
Theas18 How would you go about getting it done privately? I'm guessing it won't be as easy as a Tesco flu jab.

DS1 (16) is going to the nurse weekly at the moment for a wound dressing. i forgot to ask her about it yesterday but will ask next week as another nurse said he was eligible.

Ds is booked in 24th because he is a year older but will be a fresher in september.

Hi secret!
Not sure yet but I'll find out when I go back to work next week. Likely it'll be simply booking into a random private gp clinic as people did for semester mmr etc

DD2 got a letter from the doc inviting her to go in for it. She's going to college for a foundation year though, rather than uni. Should she still have it, or wait until next year?

DS2(18) is having his on Tuesday. Hopefully he'll be a fresher in September

Dd had hers last week

It says here all 17&18 yos in Yr13 and those going to Uni for the first time, up to the age of 25, are eligible.

TheHormonalHooker Yes, the OP and others on this thread have DC going back to uni for second or subsequent years. So while still only 19 or so they are not eligible for the vaccine.

Hi Theas , oh thanks, will you let us know what you find out please? No private GP clinics round here. I doubt if our GP would do it even privately, they refused to do flu jab for DS even if I paid. I've googled and can't see Boots doing it. There are adverts for it under travel vaccines although this suggests it's a different vaccine.

Secret your own gp can't do it - rules against providing private services to your own patients etc.

I'll let you know when I find out.

Sorry SideofFoot but first year students are not an "age group" - you can be a first year student at any age from about 17 to 90.

ArgyMargy Yes meningitis can strike at any age. It's partly the environment as well as the age that makes students vulnerable. Freshers flu is not confined to first years.

Sideoffoot Luckily 18 year olds don't need the consent of their parents to have a potentially life saving vaccine. (Probably don't at 16 as the invitation does go directly to the young person and not to the parent).

Secret, yes you are quite correct about consent, I will support my child's decision whatever they decide. I wouldn't consent for them, I won't consent for an under 16, but as an over 18, they can do what they like.
At the moment I have an under 16 and I won't sign the consent for that.