Get vaccinated before going to college or university say NHS Fife

Students in Fife should make sure they are up to date with their vaccines before heading off to college or university.

That's the message from NHS Fife, which is warning that some illnesses like measles, meningitis and septicaemia can spread easily in these places.

It also says students are at a higher risk of getting ill with these infectious diseases.

It's recommending people make sure they're up to date on the MMR and HPV jabs.

A spoksperson for the healthboard says: "Students are 11 times more likely to develop invasive meningococcal disease, which causes meningitis and septicaemia.

"The meningitis ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine helps to protect against these very serious diseases. 

"Parts of the UK and other countries in Europe have been seeing an increase in the number of people getting measles, and evidence suggests students are at higher risk.

"That’s why it’s important to check you’ve had two doses of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella and has saved over 4,500 lives across the UK."

International students may be able to get additional vaccines that weren't available where they lived before.

Consultant in Public Health Medicine, and immunisation co-ordinator for Fife, Dr Esther Curnock, says: "These diseases can be severe and, in some cases, life threatening.

"Students are at increased risk due to the large amounts of mixing with new people in enclosed spaces. Increasing cases of measles and meningococcal disease in particular were observed earlier this year.

"Vaccines are the best way to ensure you’re protected and these are offered for free on the NHS in Scotland. These vaccines are offered as part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule however if they’ve been missed, it’s not too late to catch up.

"Ideally, they should be given at least two weeks before the new semester starts."

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