MMR and MenACWY vaccinations for students resident at home
September marks the time of the year when many students are starting their first year of university or returning to their studies. Students can be more vulnerable to illnesses such as meningitis and mumps due to living in large households and mixing with new people, increasing the risk of infection. Low uptake of childhood MMR due to the Wakefield scandal has also seen an increase in measles cases in Europe. Traditionally most student health matters would be covered by specialist university practices, but socio-economic factors are increasing the number of students who remain living in the family home, so it may be worth checking the vaccination status of patients of university age.
Around 90,000 new university students will be instructed to have the MMR and MenACWY jab before they start their courses this year. The Royal College of Nursing recently called on soon-to-to university students to make a vaccination appointment in August to build up their immunity before fresher’s week. The call comes after it emerged that that the number of European cases of measles has reached an eight-year high. According to data from Public Health England (PHE), there were more than 200 cases of meningitis W last year and around 400,000 school leavers were not vaccinated.
The MenACWY vaccine, protects against A, C, W and Y meningococcal bacteria. The vaccine is available for all 17-18 year olds, who should be contacted by their GP during this time, and university entrants between ages 19-25 who would need to make an appointment with their GP.
Many students may have missed out on the MMR vaccine as children, with uptake as low as 80% in 2003, according to PHE. It is advised that students who have not received two doses of the vaccine in the past, or those who are unsure, should speak to their GP. Many universities require students to also get the MenACWY vaccine before moving into student accommodation. All first-year undergraduates are now advised to have a meningitis booster if they were less than 10 years of age when they received their first Meningitis C injection.
In 2016 around 328,000 students in the UK elected to remain in their family home and registration advice for students differs from university to university. For example, the London School of Economics advises students to find a local GP on NHS Choices and register there, while Kings College London has a dedicated student practice, but advises those living outside its catchment area that they may wish to register with a local practice if they have home visiting needs.
Last updated : 17 Sep 2018Londonwide LMCs' August 2021 newsletter (18 Aug 2021)
...Supporting GPs’ mental health (17 Aug 2021)
The past 20 months have been an extremely stressful time for many GPs and their practice teams with a significant impact on mental health. We have continued to promote the...Becton Dickinson blood specimen collection portfolio supply disruption (11 Aug 2021)
We have been made aware of a supply problem with one of the major suppliers of the vacutainers used to collect blood for tests. Whilst this may not affect all...LMC elections 2021 - results (02 Aug 2021)
Voting in the 2021 LMC elections closed on 27 July 2021. The results are listed below. Congratulations to all those GPs who have been elected. We look forward to working...Committee Liaison Executive vacancies (2 posts) at Londonwide LMCs (30 Jul 2021)
Londonwide Local Medical Committees is the membership organisation representing over 7,000 constituent NHS general practitioners and 1,200 practice teams in London. Londonwide LMCs provides pan-London leadership and shared committee services...NHS letter to help people without an NHS number access the Covid-19 vaccine and register with a GP (23 Jul 2021)
On 23 July 2021 NHS England and NHS Improvement and Public Health England issued a useful letter which advises people without an NHS number, including people who are migrants, how...LMC elections - voting closing on 27 July (21 Jul 2021)
Elections are taking place for LMCs in Bexley, Ealing, Greenwich, Merton and Redbridge this year. If you are a GP working in one of these LMC areas please ensure you...Access for undocumented patients (21 Jul 2021)
Londonwide LMCs and London’s individual LMCs continue to share information about enabling patients to register for general medical services with GP practices and for Covid-19 vaccinations, regardless of immigration status...Londonwide LMCs' July 2021 newsletter (21 Jul 2021)
...Londonwide LMCs summary briefing: Health and Care Bill 2021 (21 Jul 2021)
Innovation: working together to improve health and social care for all. Full draft text of the Bill. Timing The Health and Care Bill received its first reading on 6 July...Guidance
We provide expert guidance for practices in our guidance section, as well as an archive of other materials you may find useful.
GP Support
Contact our GP Support team if you need help or advice.
The team provide professional and pastoral support to GPs and practice teams on a broad range of issues.