It’s important to look after your health when living away from home. Vaccinations which protect against measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis, and flu are more important than ever in helping to protect yourself and our community.
The following vaccinations are recommended for university students:
- Meningococcal ACWY (Meningitis ACWY) immunisation
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) immunisation
- Flu vaccination (for certain at-risk groups)
- Covid-19 Vaccinations
- HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) Vaccinations
Meningitis ACWY vaccination
Meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning) are rare but life-threatening diseases. Students going away to university for the first time are at high risk in the first weeks of term as you’re likely to come into contact with many new people.
The MenACWY vaccine protects against 4 different causes of meningitis and septicaemia: meningococcal (Men) A, C, W and Y diseases. It replaces the separate Hib/MenC vaccine.
A free MenACWY vaccination is available for any unprotected individual under 25 years of age.
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination
Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious conditions that can have serious and potentially fatal complications.
The MMR is a safe and effective combined vaccine that protects against all three separate illnesses. It is administered in a single injection, requiring two doses at least 4 weeks apart. You are likely to have received one MMR immunisation as a child but may not have had the second booster.
It is strongly advised that students who have not previously had TWO doses of the MMR vaccine, or who are not sure, contact their GP as soon as possible to arrange to have the free vaccination.
Flu jab – for those with underlying health conditions
You should get an annual flu vaccination if you have asthma and take inhaled steroids, or if you have a serious long-term condition that may put you at risk of developing complications such as pneumonia.
Anyone living with someone who is at high risk from coronavirus should also have a flu vaccination.
Covid-19 Vaccinations
Everyone aged 5 and over can get a 1st and 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. People aged 16 and over can also get a booster dose. If you are unsure whether you have had the vaccine, or how many you have had, you can check your covid vaccine record here.
People who had a severely weakened immune system when they had their first 2 doses, will be offered a 3rd dose, and some people, including those at higher risk will be offered a seasonal booster (autumn booster).
Research has shown the vaccines help to: reduce your risk of getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19; reduce your risk of catching or spreading COVID-19; and protect against COVID-19 variants.
It is strongly advised that students who have not previously had all THREE doses of the Covid vaccine, arrange to have these free vaccinations.
You can book your first and second vaccine here, and your booster vaccine here.
HPV Vaccinations
Young people are offered the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as part of the NHS vaccination programme. You likely had this in school.
The HPV vaccine helps protect against cancers caused by HPV, including: cervical cancer, some mouth and throat (head and neck) cancers, and some cancers of the anal and genital area. It also helps protect against genital warts.
If you missed the HPV vaccine offered in Year 8 at school, it’s available for free on the NHS up until your 25th birthday for girls born after 1 September 1991, and boys born after 1 September 2006. This can be organised through your GP, who can also check whether you had this in school, if you are unsure or cannot remember.
How to get vaccinations
Widespread vaccination protects, not just the individual, but also those who are unable to receive the vaccine because of a weakened immune system, by reducing the spread of the conditions.
If you have not been vaccinated against mumps, measles and rubella, HPV, or meningitis, or you are not sure, it is important you contact your GP and arrange to receive the vaccines. The flu vaccine is available through your GP surgery or a pharmacy offering the service.
If you haven’t registered with a GP in Liverpool yet, find out which practices are near to your accommodation. If you are eligible, you will be able to have the vaccinations free of charge.