International students urged to get MenB vaccine

International students studying at a London university are being urged to get the meningitis B (MenB) vaccine as part of a free NHS rollout for the first time.

The vaccine offers protection against a dangerous strain of meningitis that caused an outbreak in Kent in March and resulted in two deaths.

The bacterial infection can be spread through kissing, sharing drinks or vapes, and close contact in student accommodation. It can lead to life-changing disabilities including hearing loss, brain damage or amputations.

Karen Bonner, NHS London chief nurse, told BBC Radio London the "awful" infection "can have fatal outcomes".

Bonner urged all of London's eligible students, including the tens of thousands of international students arriving in the capital, to get vaccinated as a priority.

The MenB vaccine requires two doses at least 28 days apart for full protection.

In July, the NHS launched a vaccination catch-up campaign for eligible students. As of early September, more than 31,000 first doses were given in London.

London's chief nurse said symptoms of the infection included "severe headache, stiff neck, high temperature, confusion, irritability, stomach cramps, blotching rash, joint pains and sometimes people have seizures".

She added that the rash would be "quite an obvious thing", alongside "confusion and irritability".

Students under the age of 25 who are heading to university or a residential college for the first time can contact a participating pharmacy for the vaccine.

Students can get a walk-in MenB vaccine if they were born on or after 21 July 2001, and for the first time this autumn are:

• starting university
• starting at a further education college as a residential student

International students and students from elsewhere in the UK who will be studying in England are also eligible, as well as those who are travelling abroad to study.

Students do not need to be registered with a GP surgery to use the walk-in service, but do need to provide evidence of their offer for higher education or residential further education.

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