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Higher education

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No meningitis vaccination yet and starting uni in 3 weeks

28 replies

Startinguni · 24/08/2026 10:31

DD19 has not had her vaccination yet. I keep reminding her to book but she was busy with work and then away for 3 weeks.

She is moving in 3 weeks and I just found out there are 2 dosis. I guess she will have to come back home for second dosis or can she booked in the city she is going to?

Does it need to be 4 weeks apart exactly?

OP posts:
Floppyearedlab · 24/08/2026 10:34

Tell her if she cba to make time for her wellness she will be forced to make time for her illness.
Busy with work my arse. Is she a brain surgeon? Or just wanted some pocket money?

Not your fault at all OP. Young people nowadays are so irresponsible despite brilliant parents like you looking out for them.

(and yes, she can register with the student health centre and do it there. If she can find the time)

Startinguni · 24/08/2026 10:37

Floppyearedlab · 24/08/2026 10:34

Tell her if she cba to make time for her wellness she will be forced to make time for her illness.
Busy with work my arse. Is she a brain surgeon? Or just wanted some pocket money?

Not your fault at all OP. Young people nowadays are so irresponsible despite brilliant parents like you looking out for them.

(and yes, she can register with the student health centre and do it there. If she can find the time)

Edited

She was working full time; saving money for her first year maintenance at uni; she had a gap year. I think she thought she had time and didn’t realise there were 2 dosis. She is a responsible and sensible girl. I just realised there are 2 dosis. She also hates niddles.

We were away as family visiting relatives overseas

OP posts:
bogstandardaf · 24/08/2026 10:40

There is still some protection after the first dose. Just get that one as soon as possible. It is not strictly 4 weeks for the second, just that it can't be less than 4 weeks. I am sure a couple of weeks extra won't harm if it has to be done in reading week etc. or maybe the second one can be done somewhere near university - I don't know about that. Main thing is to get the first one done now, it takes 2 weeks for the immunity from that one to build as far as I know.

Lomonald · 24/08/2026 10:42

Didn't she get it at school, Or do they need boosters . I think she can either get it where she is going or she will need to come back for her second dose but she really needs to get on it now.

Mine are older but they did get a meningitis vaccine in school is this for a different strain?

Mydogisagentleman · 24/08/2026 10:43

Our DD had hers done at uni since our home gp couldn't offer an appointment.
I was really impressed with student services doctors.
She could generally get a same day slit

HighburyHope · 24/08/2026 10:49

Lomonald · 24/08/2026 10:42

Didn't she get it at school, Or do they need boosters . I think she can either get it where she is going or she will need to come back for her second dose but she really needs to get on it now.

Mine are older but they did get a meningitis vaccine in school is this for a different strain?

Edited

School vaccines cover Meningitis A, C, W and Y. Not Meningitis B, which is now being offered to school leavers before uni as a result of recent outbreaks.

HighburyHope · 24/08/2026 10:53

@Startinguni She should book in for the first dose ASAP so that it has time to generate some immunity before she starts. The second dose must be at least 4 weeks later, and doesn’t need to be administered at the same clinic as the first one.

NameforaDay77 · 24/08/2026 11:13

@Lomonald There are no boosters. The vaccination is supposed to remain effective for 2-5 yrs and its aimed at the late teen / early 20s age group, once they've aged out of that, they don't need it again. in theory.

Lomonald · 24/08/2026 11:56

NameforaDay77 · 24/08/2026 11:13

@Lomonald There are no boosters. The vaccination is supposed to remain effective for 2-5 yrs and its aimed at the late teen / early 20s age group, once they've aged out of that, they don't need it again. in theory.

Ah ok, thank you .

Lomonald · 24/08/2026 11:56

HighburyHope · 24/08/2026 10:49

School vaccines cover Meningitis A, C, W and Y. Not Meningitis B, which is now being offered to school leavers before uni as a result of recent outbreaks.

Thank you.

Boxingshibes · 24/08/2026 15:58

Dd was going to book one for this week as you needed the uni offer at Boots.
But the university have said they will do both, 1st one in the 1st week. They are doing students on mass.
We thought getting them done at uni (England to Scotland) would be easier than the nhs england and Scotland talking to each other!

NameforaDay77 · 24/08/2026 17:46

Boxingshibes · 24/08/2026 15:58

Dd was going to book one for this week as you needed the uni offer at Boots.
But the university have said they will do both, 1st one in the 1st week. They are doing students on mass.
We thought getting them done at uni (England to Scotland) would be easier than the nhs england and Scotland talking to each other!

Edited

"en masse"

Boxingshibes · 24/08/2026 17:48

@NameforaDay77 fair enough, I was writing quickly but was that really needed?

NameforaDay77 · 24/08/2026 17:52

Boxingshibes · 24/08/2026 17:48

@NameforaDay77 fair enough, I was writing quickly but was that really needed?

Sorry. I am anally retentive when it comes to little bits of Latin going awry. I correct it because normally its never due to people "being in a hurry", just due to people never having learned it in the first place.

Learning is a positive thing, you'll remember it correctly next time. 😀

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 24/08/2026 18:04

My dd is refusing to have it 🙄 she’s needle phobic, I’ve sent her the info and link but not much else I can do. Good to hear the unis are offering it, if other students are getting it she might follow them.

ArchitectureMum · 24/08/2026 18:09

You don’t need to be at home or with your GP to get the meningitis B vaccination. You can book into any pharmacy using the link so she can easily get the second dose near her university. It has to be at least four weeks after the first dose but can be longer.

HighburyHope · 24/08/2026 18:43

NameforaDay77 · 24/08/2026 17:52

Sorry. I am anally retentive when it comes to little bits of Latin going awry. I correct it because normally its never due to people "being in a hurry", just due to people never having learned it in the first place.

Learning is a positive thing, you'll remember it correctly next time. 😀

Surely it is French, not Latin (if we’re going to be pedantic about things)?

Boxingshibes · 24/08/2026 19:26

@NameforaDay77 as its a) not Latin b) it's French and C) translates into 'on mass'
Having a gcse in Latin I know the difference.
And if you dont have anything helpful to say about Men B injections, please bugger off!

Startinguni · 24/08/2026 21:39

She can not book it online as she took a gag year and was born before September 2007; not sure what the options are? University? Private?

OP posts:
SellFridges · 24/08/2026 21:42

I went to uni the year they rolled out a meningitis vaccine (I can’t remember which strain, it was late 90’s). We were not allowed to collect our Student ID (including NUS card) unless we had been jabbed. We were signed up as we collected our room keys. Excellent policy.

Ifeeltheneedtheneedforcoffee · 24/08/2026 22:22

Startinguni · 24/08/2026 21:39

She can not book it online as she took a gag year and was born before September 2007; not sure what the options are? University? Private?

She is still eligible but will need to ring a pharmacy to book an appointment and see if there are spare vaccines. She should be able to book online soon i belive
Second dose can be done at any participating pharmacy so at uni or home whichever suits

Popfan · 24/08/2026 22:37

My DS just went into our local chemist and they did it as a walk in. His girlfriend did the same. The times online didn't work for him as he works, he went in to ask and they did it there and then. His girlfriend went with him when he went for his 2nd jab today to have her first one, no booking and they did it for her too.
I'd just pop in and ask!

PartoftheBand · 29/08/2026 11:55

NameforaDay77 · 24/08/2026 17:52

Sorry. I am anally retentive when it comes to little bits of Latin going awry. I correct it because normally its never due to people "being in a hurry", just due to people never having learned it in the first place.

Learning is a positive thing, you'll remember it correctly next time. 😀

"it's"

lanthanum · 29/08/2026 12:07

Just encourage her to book it when she gets to uni, and get it done during the first term.

Bear in mind that meningitis outbreaks are actually quite rare. If there is one, they will no doubt offer vaccinations at affected unis as a priority - remember that existing students are not entitled to the free vaccine, so a lot will not have had it. The new intake will also benefit from "herd immunity" as most of their year group will have had it.

(For whoever said "didn't they have it at school", the one given at age 14ish is for the ACWY strains, the one now being offered to those starting uni is for the B strain.)

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