Uni/ meningitis vaccination

[OhWhenWillSummerArrive]

I just want to double check something.

I took my DC along for some travel vaccinations, and whilst there asked for the meningitis vaccination for before my DC goes to Uni.

I was told that DC should have already had the meningitis ACWY at age 14, along with a DTaP vax and this covers it.

Is this correct?

No. They should have had acwy and if they haven’t then they need it. They should also get men B which you have to pay for (boots etc do it). It’s compulsory for some healthcare degrees and for various overseas years where you have to prove you’ve had it to be able to stay in halls in some countries. Otherwise it’s just strongly recommended.

Yes this is true. He should have had them in year 9( I think) at school? Unfortunately GPs don’t get the records of school imms.

But this is acwy only. Not B which you have to get privately if you want your dc to be covered.

Well yes. MenB didn’t come onto UK schedule until 2015 and only for babies so no teen will have had it unless paid for privately.

So, if DC is at Uni in the UK, and has had ACWY, are they covered or do they need the MenB as well?

No, it should be the standard vaccines given at the appropriate time for their age group.

The MenB vaccine aims to protect against an additional group of bacteria that can cause meningitis, not covered by the MenACWY vaccine - it's a belt and braces option.
I lost two friends to meningitis at uni during the outbreak in the 90s that drew it to everyone's attention so consider it a cost worth paying.

I paid for Men B at Superdrug. 2 needed.

Need men B as well.
Lots of unis have it on their recommended list and students will be contacted and advised strongly to consider having it if there's an outbreak.
When dd was in first year there was an outbreak and some students hospitalised so they all received the email recommending the vaccination.

I paid for my son to have Men B in superdrug last year. You have to pay.

Teenagers werent included in Men B which has only been part of standard schedule for kids who are now about 8 or 9 down. Anyone older has to pay for it. Shit, but that's the UK for you.

It's well worth getting it before they go because there seem to be frequent supply issues and you have to have two doses some weeks apart. It would be horrible for there to be an outbreak and for kids not to be able to access the vaccine so if you can afford it it's better to do in advance. They are living in very close proximity. If something gets in it spreads like wildfire. DS's whole flat of 12 have been ill with a virus this term.

also worth getting HPV if they haven't had it through school.

Mine didn't have B, they were covered by the vaccine at 14. I rang the school nursing service and they sent the schedule of all their vaccinations to me. My one that did a medical degree had the additional vaccinations done at a private clinic, arranged for after her Alevel results by the uni she was going to. It was nice, free hot chocolate for me while I waited.