When do new uni starters get the meningitis jag?

[ssd]

I've asked this before and I can't remember, sorry.
Dc starts uni in September. Does he need a jag for meningitis?

Did they not get it at school? Normally given at Secondary school (Men ACWY)

Don't onow, but your GP can do it.

In England, the men ACWY is given age 15 and most people have it in school. Scotland is devolved for health, but the mints of the main jabs are pretty much the same, but I dinmt know if they're delivered in school there.

Can your GO receptionist help with how to arrange one if your DC did not get one before?

Yes my dd got her Men ACWY at school in Scotland

My kids have had all their school jags, but I thought they needed a booster to start uni?

No there isn't a booster. In the past they used to get just the Men C so there was a catch up program to give the MenACWY. If they had it at school they don't need another one before uni

OK thanks.

From nhs:
The MenACWY vaccinationis beingoffered to teenagersand also to first-time college and universitystudentswhohaven't already had the vaccination

Below from the NHS website:-

Older teenagers and new university students are at higher risk of infection because many of them mix closely with lots of new people, some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria at the back of their noses and throats.

Anyone who is eligible for the MenACWY vaccine should have it, even if they've previously had the Men C vaccine

DS had the jab in Year 9 at school but was advised to have it again before he left for university last September. It's also advisable to get them to have the flu jab before the leave. Freshers Flu is definitely a thing...

My DS was up to date with all his jabs and he just got a letter saying he still needed to make an appointment with the gp for the jab, I think he got the letter in August if I recall correctly.

Depends if he just had the MenC one or if he had the MenACWY. Check with the gp to be sure

Studentsgoing touniversity or college for the first time, including overseasand mature students, who have not yethad the MenACWY vaccine remain eligibleup to their 25th birthday.

Flu jabs did not come out until very end of Sept/start of Oct. you're unlikely to be able to get it before they go, but encourage them to have it as early as they can (if they are happy to have it)

Our GP advised DS to have it done again as a precaution but best to check.

Mumps was rife at the start of October at DS's university...

You can also ask your GP surgery to print out a list of all vaccinations they have had to date which can be kept for reference.

I phoned the GP but the receptionist was really unhelpful.

Our GP weren't able to give DS his flu jab before he went as they weren't getting theirs until October but Boots had them available earlier - he left around mid September. I think it was around £12.

Please make sure all your kids get tge vacinations. My son had meningitis 3 years ago, he now has brain damage ( it's turned him into a horrible violent person who is impossible to live with) Its ruined his life and ours

Turf accountant, I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm totally for kids getting the vaccinations they should.

First year college/university entrants should get the ACWY vaccine if they are under 25. It may be worth checking with your community child health dept if your son has actually had the vaccine in school as it was brought in 2017 with a catch up programme for those who were S4 upwards.

It may be he had the MenC vaccine, however MenW is the more prevalent strain within that age group.

Hope you manage to get it.

Sorry - meant 2015, not 2017! He may have had it already

Did had hers at school but we were told to go to the GP if she wanted too. I'd maybe just get a Dr appointment if the receptionist is being unhelpful

Mumps was rife at the start of October at DS's university...

Yes, the mumps element of MMR can wane, plus the children who weren't properly vaccinated when young because of bloody Wakefield are now uni age.

There is evidence that a third dose may be worthwhile but AFAIK its only available privately - don't know if same applies in Scotland as England.

www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1703309