Save a life: Recognise the symptoms
Depending on where you are in the UK, information on what to look out for and what to do next can be found at:
Vaccines for students
Ideally, you should have any vaccines you have missed before leaving for university or college so you can build up protection before you arrive.
Before buying duvet covers or cutlery, put vaccines on your to do list.
Ideally, you should have any vaccines you have missed before leaving for university or college so you can build up protection before you arrive. If that's not possible, arrange to have any missed vaccines as soon as possible with your new GP Practice on arrival at university/college. Register with your new GP as soon as you move to a new area if moving away from home – don't wait until you're ill.
Make sure you are up-to-date with all your free routine NHS vaccines
There are many vaccines in the routine childhood vaccination schedule that students starting university will have been offered by the NHS over the years, starting from just a few weeks of age. This includes:
- two doses of MMR which will have been first offered at 12 months and three years and four months of age
- HPV, MenACWY, and Td/IPV vaccines will have been offered in secondary school
Check with your GP practice if you're not sure whether you have missed any of the these vaccines and book an appointment at your local vaccination centre/ GP practice if you need to catch up.
Starting uni or college in 2026?
This year, those starting at university, or starting college and living in college accommodation or college halls of residence, are also being offered the MenB vaccination. Where you can receive the MenB depends on the UK nation. Further details on all of these vaccinations are given below.
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1
Two doses of MenB vaccine
Following recent outbreaks of invasive meningococcal disease in Kent, and clusters in Weymouth and Reading, the MenB vaccine is being offered to all those of school-leaving age, those starting at university, and those starting further education for the first time who will be living in college accommodation or college halls of residence this autumn.
The MenB vaccine protects against most strains of MenB found in the UK that can cause meningococcal meningitis (dangerous inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord), which can lead to life-threatening septicaemia (blood poisoning).
Importantly, you need two doses to be protected against the disease. Protection develops around two weeks after your second dose.
This vaccination is being delivered in slightly different ways across the UK. Find out more about whether you are eligible for the MenB vaccine, and how you can get it: Meningococcal B (MenB) time limited vaccination offer – GOV.UK.
You should bring one of the following as evidence of your student status to your appointment:
- an official email confirmation of your offer of a place at university or college from either the provider (usually an .ac.uk email address) or from UCAS
- a letter (hard copy or email) confirming you have received an offer of a place for the 2026/2027 academic year at your chosen university or college
- a screenshot of your offer of a place at your chosen university or college from the UCAS Hub
The evidence you take to your vaccination appointment should include the name of the university or college you're due to attend, the course code, and/or title of the course of study, and confirmation of the offer of a place (either conditional or unconditional).
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2
One dose of MenACWY vaccine
The MenACWY vaccine is offered to teenagers in school, but can be given up to your 25th birthday if it's been missed. It's also available for some people who are at increased risk of getting meningitis because of:
- a medical condition
- work
- travel
- close contact with someone who's infected
It protects against four strains (A, C, W & Y) of bacteria that can cause meningococcal disease. However, this vaccine does not protect against MenB disease, so if you’re eligible for the MenB vaccination (see details above) then it’s important to get that vaccination to ensure you’re protected. Find out more about the MenACWY vaccine.
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3
Two doses of MMR
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. It is recommended for adults and children born on or before 31 December 2019 who did not have two doses of the MMR vaccine when they were younger.
Measles can have serious complications, and the disease is currently circulating in the UK with cases across the country. It can lead to one in five needing a hospital visit. Find out more about the MMR vaccine.
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4
One dose of HPV vaccine
All children from aged 12 to 13 are offered the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine. It protects against nine high risk strains of the HPV virus that can lead to some cancers, including cervical cancer, mouth cancer, head and neck cancer, and cancers of the male and female genitals.
If you missed getting vaccinated when you were 12 or 13, the HPV vaccine is available for free on the NHS for:
- all girls up until their 25th birthday
- boys born on or after 1 September 2006 up until their 25th birthday
Students who identify as men who have sex with men are also eligible for the HPV vaccine when they visit a specialist sexual health service.
Contact your your immunisation centre/GP Practice if you are eligible for the HPV vaccine but have not received it. Find out more about the HPV vaccine.
If you’re going to university or college in Scotland, visit the NHS inform website to find out what vaccines you may be eligible for and how to get them if you haven’t already.
If you are starting university or college in the UK and were born elsewhere, or are currently living elsewhere, the vaccinations you have been offered may differ from those offered by the NHS. Check with your GP Practice when you register as a patient to see what vaccines you have had, which ones you may be eligible for, and how to get an appointment to receive any outstanding vaccines.
It is really important that students in certain health risk groups have any additional vaccines they are recommended (like those protecting against flu).
Meningitis - know the signs
There are different causes of meningitis and sepsis/septicaemia. MenB and MenACWY vaccines help protect against meningococcal bacteria that are a leading cause of meningitis and sepsis in the UK, but they cannot protect against all causes, so please make sure you are aware of common signs and symptoms and how to get medical help if you need it.
While this disease is very rare, it is important you know the signs and symptoms of meningitis, sepsis and septicaemia (blood poisoning), how to get medical help if you need it, and how to look out for your health and the health of others.