Vaccination reminder for off-island students as they face higher disease risk

Wednesday 30 August 2023

University and college students have been reminded to check their vaccination status as they face an increased risk of serious disease in the UK.

It follows warnings that one in eight (12.5%) of new students from England will be unprotected against meningitis, although locally the figure is likely to be around 5%.

Alex Hawkins-Drew, Associate Director of Public Health said: “Students starting college or university this September, or returning students, are at increased risk of serious diseases such as meningitis, septicaemia, and measles as they mix with large numbers of other students from all over the world. 

“It is therefore important that they know what vaccines they have received in childhood and if they have missed any of their routine vaccines, who to contact to receive these vaccines before they leave the island.”

The three vaccines students should be up to date with are:

MenACWY – protecting against four common strains causing meningitis ad septicaemia.

MMR – protecting against measles, mumps and rubella.

HPV – protecting against HPV related cancers such as cervical cancer and other cancers of
the head, neck and genital areas and genital warts.

Students can confirm their vaccination records with the School Nursing team by emailing childvaccine@gov.gg or their GP. Any young person wishing to receive a vaccine they have missed can arrange this by contacting the immunisation team on childvaccine@gov.gg.

Vaccines for students are free.