Student Vaccinations

Recommended Student Vaccinations

Both meningococcal disease (meningitis) and measles, mumps and rubella are serious diseases: meningitis can kill and mumps can damage fertility. Fortunately both are rare, but they do occur, and they occur more commonly amongst university students. It is recommended that you are immunised against these prior to coming to university. If you haven’t been vaccinated then the Health Centre will offer you the vaccine (if eligible)

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccination

MMR is a safe and effective combined vaccine that protects against three separate illnesses – measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) – in a single injection. The full course of MMR vaccination requires two doses.
Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious conditions that can have serious, and potentially fatal, complications, including meningitis, swelling of the brain (encephalitis) and deafness. They can also lead to complications in pregnancy that affect the unborn baby, and can lead to miscarriage.

Meningitis ACW&Y vaccination

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges).

It can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults.
Meningitis can be very serious if not treated quickly. It can cause life-threatening blood poisoning (septicaemia) and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.

First year students going to university for the first time are advised to have a vaccination to prevent meningitis disease.

The Men ACWY vaccine is given by a single injection into the upper arm and protects against four different causes of meningitis and septicaemia – meningococcal (Men) A, C, W and Y diseases.

Although the vaccination does dramatically reduce the risk of meningitis, it is still possible to catch the disease. All students should be aware of the signs of meningitis and what do if they think someone may have it.

Human Papillomavirus HPV Vaccination

The Health Centre offers the HPV vaccine. Currently it offers Gardasil-9 and this is a single dose course. If you have previously had Gardasil-9 you will not be eligible for any more doses. To arrange an appointment please contact the Patient Coordinators in the administration team who will organise the booking. 

Check your Records

Please bring your vaccination history with you when you register to avoid needing a repeat injection. You can ask your current doctor if necessary. Please note it takes several months for us to obtain your GP notes when you register therefore we cannot check for you.

Where there is doubt we will always recommend having a vaccination.

Eligibility for Free Vaccination

The NHS provides free immunisation against MMR at any age, and for Meningitis ACW&Y for those up to and including 24 years of age who are attending university for the first time, which is the age group most at risk.

If you are 25yrs or older you are not eligible to have the Meningitis ACW&Y vaccination for free in the UK.

Booking Vaccine Appointments

You will need to be registered with the Health Centre to access any of our services including vaccinations. For information on registering please see our New Patients page.

You can book appointments via the NHS App or SystmOnline. Please book appointments that specifically say MMR or Meningitis ACWY. If you cannot find any appointments available then please contact us on 020 7584 6301.