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Public Health Gibraltar and Gibraltar Health Authority launches Meningitis B Catch-up Vaccination Programme for Students Studying Abroad from September

Public Health Gibraltar and Gibraltar Health Authority launches Meningitis B Catch-up Vaccination Programme for Students Studying Abroad from September

Public Health Gibraltar and the Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA) are encouraging all eligible university students who will be travelling overseas for further education this autumn to take advantage of a new Meningitis B (MenB) catch-up vaccination programme designed to protect them against meningococcal disease before they leave Gibraltar.

The programme is open to all university students who are between the ages of 18 and 24 years old who are travelling abroad to attend university or another recognised place of study to either start their studies or are returning for existing students. The initiative has been introduced following recent outbreaks of meningococcal disease among university students in the United Kingdom, highlighting the increased risk faced by young people living in shared accommodation during their first year of study.

The MenB vaccine is administered as a two-dose course, with a minimum interval of four weeks between doses. Students are strongly encouraged to receive both doses to ensure the highest level of protection.

Vaccination clinics

Current university students will receive a text message offering them an appointment at one of the dedicated vaccination clinics at the Primary Care Centre on Wednesday 19th and Friday 21st August between 8:30am and 4:30pm. Those students who are waiting for their results in August or current students who have not received their appointment dates can make an appointment by calling 200 66966 Monday to Friday between 9am and 3pm.  Please do not call to make an appointment until you have received your A-Level results and are in receipt of a valid offer to attend your place of study.

If you are a current university student and have not received your appointment by text message, please wait until Monday 17th August before calling for an appointment.

The vaccination teams expect to vaccinate approximately 50–60 students per hour.

Eligibility

To receive the vaccine, all new and existing students must:

• Be 18–24 years of age.

• Be travelling overseas to attend university or another recognised place of study.

• Bring either a valid university student identification card or an official letter of acceptance (electronic copies are accepted).

Students who are not travelling abroad for study purposes are not eligible for the programme, as the increased risk is associated with university settings and student accommodation.

Second dose arrangements

Students who will remain in Gibraltar four weeks after receiving their first vaccination will be invited to attend a second vaccination clinic. Those returning to the United Kingdom before their second dose is due will receive written confirmation of their first vaccination, allowing them to complete the course through the NHS.

Students who have already received a first MenB vaccination privately within the previous four weeks should wait until at least four weeks have elapsed before receiving their second dose. Any student who has received their first dose will be required to take evidence of this to their appointment.

Unable to attend?

Students who are unwell, taking antibiotics on the day of their appointment are asked not to attend, and should cancel their appointment as per the instructions on the text message. This should also be done by students who are away from Gibraltar on the day of their appointment.

The Director of Public Health, Dr Helen Carter, said: "Although meningococcal disease is uncommon, it can develop very quickly and have devastating consequences. Recent university outbreaks have demonstrated that students living and studying together are at increased risk. We strongly encourage all eligible students travelling overseas for education to take advantage of this catch-up vaccination programme and ensure they receive both doses wherever possible before or during the start of their studies."

GHA Director General, Dr Paul Bosio: “The GHA is happy to offer this vaccine to all our UK and other overseas students in an attempt to protect them. We urge all student to take advantage of the Meningitis B vaccination programme before they leave Gibraltar.”

The Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: “This initiative has been taken following the advice that is currently being given to UK university students. Where possible, HMGoG will always support any programme to help protect our community.”

Further information is available in the FAQs published on Public Health Gibraltar website https://www.gha.gi/services/public-health-services/meningitis-faqs/