Universities can be hot spots for viruses and bacteria that cause illnesses such as Measles, Mumps and Meningitis as they present the perfect opportunity for infections to spread.
Being up to date with all vaccinations is important for everyone, but even more so if you are a student starting university as you will be meeting, mixing and living with lots of new people.
We recommend that you check before you go to university with Your GP whether you need any vaccinations
University students are a high-risk group. First years and those living in halls of residence are prone to contracting the disease because of their close proximity to each other; particularly in the first few weeks of term.
We advise all First Year students to contact their GP at home to get the Meningitis ACWY vaccination ideally at least 2 weeks before leaving home to start their first academic year. Any student who hasn't had their vaccination prior to starting University should contact the USW Health Team as soon as possible.
The Meningitis ACWY Vaccination protects against meningitis and septicaemia caused by four meningococcal strains - Men W, A, C and Y. and is free to all first year students under the age of 25 from a GP.
Check out a full list of signs and symptoms here or download the Meningitis Now app for help and information at your fingertips.
Symptoms can develop very quickly and can be very serious as this video from Meningitis Now shows.
Be aware that meningitis symptoms can be mistaken for “freshers flu” so if in any doubt it is advisable to always seek medical help as soon as possible.
Watch the following video from Public Health Wales about a students' experience of contracting Meningitis W.
Measles is one of the most highly communicable infectious diseases. Spending more than 15 minutes in direct contact with someone infected with measles is sufficient to transmit the virus.
It is spread through coughing and sneezing, close personal contact or direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions.
It takes from 7 to 18 days (average 10 to 12 days) after exposure for a patient to develop measles infection.
A patient is infectious from 4 days before the onset of rash to 4 days afterwards.
Please visit the following NHS page for guidance on symptoms and management: Measles - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
It is important to remember if you think you may have measles to isolate while you seek medical advice from your GP or NHS 111.
If you have not been vaccinated against Measles (MMR vaccination) please contact your GP to arrange to have this or if not registered or want further advice on this please make an appointment/or email the USW Healthcare team.
Mumps outbreaks are common, especially in teenagers and young people. It's especially important for teenagers leaving home for University to be up-to-date with the MMR vaccine as they are at higher risk of mumps.
There have been confirmed cases at a number of UK universities recently amongst students who have not been vaccinated.
MMR is a safe and effective combined vaccine that protects against 3 separate illnesses – measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) – in a single injection. The full course of MMR vaccination requires 2 doses. This NHS leaflet tells you about MMR vaccination.
You should contact your GP surgery before you leave for University if you are not sure if you have received any of these vaccinations.
If you are from outside the UK, you will need to be up to date with all Vaccinations as recommended by the UK Government's Department of Health.
We recommend that you have the following vaccinations before coming to the UK:
If under the age of 25: