First year students who have not yet been vaccinated against meningitis and septicaemia are advised to book an appointment to be immunised this month.
Meningococcal disease can develop suddenly, usually as meningitis or septicaemia. Early symptoms include severe diarrhoea and vomiting, headaches, muscle pain, fever, and cold hands and feet. It can kill, or leave people with life-changing disabilities or health problems, like hearing loss, brain damage or the loss of a limb.
New students are at a high risk of meningococcal disease because they tend to mix with large numbers of new people. If you did not have the vaccination before you started University or when you enrolled in September, you should do so this month.
Should you fall unwell with the symptoms above, please seek medical advice immediately.
Vaccinations are available from the University Health Centre on campus. Please make an appointment to see the Nurse Practitioner to help guard against this disease.