Call For Students To Get Meningitis Vaccine

Students are being urged to get the meningitis vaccine by the Public Health Agency.

Everyone born between 02 July 1997 and 01 July 1999, and first time university students up to the age of 25, are entitled to the Men ACWY vaccine.

Dr Lucy Jessop, Consultant in Health Protection at the PHA, explained: "Older teenagers are at higher risk of getting MenW disease, so you need to get vaccinated to help protect yourself. It will also reduce the risk of you carrying the bacteria, therefore also protecting those around you.

"Older teenagers and those starting university for the first time usually mix with larger groups of people, making them more exposed to various infections or diseases. The best way to protect against meningococcal A, C, W, or Y disease is to get the vaccine before starting university.

"Even if you have recently had the MenC vaccine, for example in school, you should still get the Men ACWY vaccine. It will increase your protection against Men C and provide protection against the three other meningococcal groups."

(CD/MH)