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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Meningitis vaccine for new uni students

7 replies

busygirl8888 · 07/06/2023 13:02

I've heard uni students in first year at uni living in halls of residence are at a greater risk of catching meningitis and are recommended to have the ACWY vaccine before they go which is now routinely given to kids in Year 9-ish at school. However, I gather this only offers protection for around 5 years which in my daughter's case would mean protection potentially decreasing during first year at uni (probably when she needs it most). Having phoned my local surgery they told me a booster isn't readily available - have I misunderstood and the earlier vaccine will actually cover them for longer than 5 years or is a booster available elsewhere?

Also, I gather the Meningitis B vaccine is now given to young babies but my daughter is too old to have received this. I think we might be able to get it privately but has anyone else done this or am I just worrying unnecessarily? There was an outbreak of meningitis in my corridor in my first year uni hall of residence so I'm probably a little paranoid. Any advice much appreciated.

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MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 07/06/2023 13:04

As far as I remember they have a booster at about 16/17 so it covers them if they go to uni.

Judd · 07/06/2023 13:10

We got DS the Men B privately at Boots, think it was 2 jabs some weeks apart and just over £100 per jab. The FB page What I Wish I Knew About University has discussions on this which may be helpful

JobChangeSoonPlease · 07/06/2023 16:51

I got menB for both kids privately

Dobbyismyabsolutefav · 07/06/2023 22:08

Sadly a student died at my DD's university of meningitis, my friend knew the parents and it happened so suddenly. My DD had the meningitis ACWY in year 10 and then had the meningitis B at our local pharmacy which we paid for. They all get ill that first term but uni students are, I believe, the second most vulnerable group to this disease.

At the very least print off the meningitis symptom list and stick it on the kitchen notice board. Also if they know a flatmate is unwell make sure they check on each other. A few basic medicines is also a good idea as freshers flu is real.

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 08/06/2023 07:01

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 07/06/2023 13:04

As far as I remember they have a booster at about 16/17 so it covers them if they go to uni.

That's not mentioned on the UK vaccine schedule. My DD is a year older so I thought that he'd just missed it through being in Lockdown but I don't think this booster is a thing?

EvenmoreDisorganised · 08/06/2023 07:08

We paid for ours to have MenB privately, if you get it done at Boots you get lots of Advantage points.

busygirl8888 · 09/06/2023 09:50

Thanks for all the replies: will investigate getting the Men B vaccine done privately.

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