Meningitis cases prompt student vaccine warning

A fresh call is being made for university students to ensure they are protected against meningitis after seven recent cases across the South of England.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging students in the South East to ensure they have had their MenACWY vaccine, which protects again four strains of the disease. The jab is offered to year 9 and 10 pupils, but anyone eligible who has missed out can still get it free from their GP until their 25th birthday.

Rachel Mearkle, Health Protection Consultant and meningitis lead for UKHSA South East, said:

“University students who are not up to date with all of their childhood and adolescent vaccines are at increased risk of serious diseases such as meningitis, septicaemia, and measles as they mix with large numbers of other students from around the country and overseas.

“We have seen two cases of meningitis in university students recently in the South East and five in our neighbouring region the South West. Luckily, all students received early medical treatment and are recovering well – but sadly this is not always the case. We’re urging students to ensure they’re vaccinated against these life-threatening illnesses, so that they can enjoy this exciting stage in their lives.”

UKHSA vaccine coverage data (Table 2: year 10 in 2019-2020: 87%) shows that uptake is falling. Before the pandemic, 87% of pupils in England were receiving the vaccine leaving 1 in 8 unprotected, but the latest data from 2021-2022 shows that the rate has fallen to 79.6%. This means the figure will rise to around one in five pupils being unprotected when they start college or university in a few years’ time if they don’t catch-up with the vaccination.

Rachel added:

“Knowing the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia could mean the difference between life and death for a close friend. Both meningitis and septicaemia can develop suddenly and urgent antibiotic treatment and hospitalisation is critical.

“Symptoms include a blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it, fever, headache, aching muscles and joints and a stiff neck. The MenW strain can also cause vomiting and diarrhoea in teenagers and young adults.

“Students are particularly at risk of missing the early warning signs of meningitis because they can be confused with a hangover. That’s why it’s vital that if a friend goes to bed unwell that you check on them regularly and don’t hesitate to seek medical help if they have these symptoms or you’re concerned about them. This could save their life.”

Former student Ashleigh Denton, 30, from Bicester, Oxfordshire, was 18 when she was admitted to hospital with life-threatening meningitis after initially dismissing her symptoms as a hangover.

Ashleigh’s story

“I was in my first year at university when one evening I started to get a headache. I thought I was probably getting a cold, but I wasn't worried, so I went out with my friends.  Within a couple of hours my behaviour changed – I was agitated and emotional. It’s not the physical symptoms that I remember, but my behaviour.

“The next day I woke up, still with a headache, and assumed I was hungover. I phoned my mum to tell her I didn't feel well and was going to sleep for a bit, but I was crying and she knew something wasn't right. She spoke to my sister, who asked if I wanted her to pick me up and take me home.

“In the car my symptoms got worse very quickly. My head was so sore, I couldn't open my eyes, my neck stiffened, I was retching, and I just knew something was seriously wrong. My sister saw a sign for a hospital in Swindon (about halfway back from my university to Oxford) and took me there and I was quickly admitted to A&E.

“This is where my memory starts to go hazy. I remember struggling to breathe. It then became too difficult for me to continue breathing so I just stopped as it felt like the easier option; my sister shook me and I came to and started breathing again, but it wasn't long before I stopped. My sister pressed the panic button and within seconds a team rushed in and carried me to resus. I was connected to a bunch of wires, given oxygen and then I can't tell you much of what happened, except for what I've been told. I am told I became aggressive, so at this stage I was sedated and admitted to ITU for support with my breathing.

“It was confirmed I had MenB meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia. I had developed a rash on my legs, but not until I got to hospital.

“My family was told there was a one in three chance that I would wake up blind, deaf or brain damaged. Fortunately, I woke up two days later and the first thing I asked for was something to eat! The doctors at hospital said I was extremely lucky to be alive.”

Dr Tom Nutt, Chief Executive of leading meningitis charity Meningitis Now, said:

“It is very sad to hear of more young lives being affected by meningitis. We know there are new cases across the country and every case is one case too many.    

“At Meningitis Now we are already working hard to raise awareness at universities. And today, we’re pleased to join with the UKHSA to ask university students to keep meningitis in mind, learn the signs and symptoms and to look out for themselves and their friends.   

“In the UK, every university could experience at least one case of meningitis or meningococcal disease (meningitis and septicaemia) among its students within the first term. Meningitis Now is campaigning to raise awareness of the disease and increase take up of the MenACWY vaccination, available free to students under the age of 25. 

"The early signs and symptoms of meningitis can be similar to flu and include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and muscle pain. More specific signs and symptoms include fever with cold hands and feet, drowsiness, confusion, pale blotchy skin, stiff neck, dislike of bright lights and a rash which doesn’t fade under pressure. 

 “Trust your instincts and seek urgent medical help if you suspect the disease, by contacting your GP or calling 111.” 

For young people who have been vaccinated it remains important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningitis because the free vaccine offered to teenagers does not protect against MenB, which is the most common cause of life-threatening meningitis amongst this age group.

Students should check they have had all their routine immunisations, including:

• MenACWY – protecting against four common strains causing meningitis and septicaemia
• MMR – protecting against measles, mumps, and rubella
• HPV – protecting against human papilloma virus (HPV) related cancers such as cervical cancer and other cancers of the head, neck and genital areas, and genital warts.

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