Recommended vaccines
The UC Health Centre recommends you ensure your childhood vaccines are completed and can offer any missing vaccines.
Meningococcal vaccines
Meningococcal disease is an infection caused by bacteria. It can lead to two serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses, meningitis (an infection of the brain membranes) and septicaemia (blood poisoning). It can develop in just a few hours.
The infection is spread in a similar way to the common cold – by coughing and sneezing, or from contact with saliva – including through sharing cups, glasses and drink bottles. Young adults living closely with others are at high risk.
There are two vaccines available and the UC Health Centre strongly recommends students have both vaccines for optimal protection before you start at UC.
- Menactra or Nimenrix, protects against strains A, C, W and Y meningococcal disease (one dose) and is free for all domestic students up to 25 years in their first year of living in a halls of residence.
- Bexsero protects against strain B meningococcal disease (two doses required) and is free for all domestic students up to 25 years in their first year of living in a halls of residence.
Contact your GP for more information or the UC Health Centre. More information about meningococcal disease is available here.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
We are assisting the Ministry of Health with a catch-up programme for those who missed out on full MMR vaccines in childhood. There is no cost for the MMR vaccine, please either seek this from your own GP or our Nurses.