A Level Students Encouraged to Swot Up on Vaccines
19 August 2010
A Level students planning on taking a gap year abroad following their results are being encouraged to swot up on travel vaccines by national charity Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF).
Research released today by MRF shows that over 20% of students would not seek advice on vaccinations before travelling abroad. The survey of over 1000 students aged 17 - 24 aimed to find out just how much this at risk group really knew about meningitis and septicaemia, and the results were somewhat concerning.
It is thought that around 30,000 students will defer their university place to take up a gap year, and a number of these will choose to travel abroad. Of those asked, the survey found that 18 year-olds are the least likely to seek any information on vaccinations, and worryingly a quarter believe they cannot contract meningitis if they have been vaccinated which is unfortunately not true, since no vaccine can prevent all strains.
Sub-Saharan Africa has been plagued by large epidemics of meningococcal meningitis for over a century, so has been labelled the ‘meningitis belt’. Over a third of students believe this belt to be in Europe. It is vital that students seek further information before travelling abroad to ensure they have up to date vaccines recommended for their destinations.
Students are the second most at risk group of meningitis and septicaemia, after babies and young children, however MRF’s research shows students have a concerning lack of awareness.
Despite Cheryl Cole's recent malaria episode featuring widely in the national press, students are still lacking vital information against vaccinations and deadly diseases.
Chris Head, Chief Executive at MRF, said: “There are now vaccines available to protect people travelling to the ‘meningitis belt’ against some of the more prevalent strains of the disease, and we are encouraging students to take advice and be protected as much as possible. We want to raise awareness of the diseases and the symptoms so vaccinations can be taken up and if necessary early treatment can be sought.”
Over the last few years there has been concern, highlighted by the media, over outbreaks of meningitis in UK universities and whilst meningitis is an uncommon disease, students progressing straight to university this September also need to be vigilant for symptoms. Any student heading for university who has not had a MenC vaccine should make sure they are vaccinated.
To boost awareness MRF has issued a wide range of awareness resources to schools and colleges across the nation including over 70,000 ‘spot the symptoms’ wall planners, posters and leaflets.
NOTES TO THE EDITOR:
- MRF, based in Bristol, is currently funding 26 research projects into the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis and septicaemia - the blood poisoning form of the disease, to improve survival rates and outcomes.
- The Foundation promotes education and awareness to reduce death and disability, and gives support to people affected.
- Their mission is to advance the education of the public in the causes, treatment and prevention of meningitis and associated infections and to help relieve the distress to individuals and families caused by death and damage through meningitis and associated infections.