As students return to schools and universities across England, health experts are raising alarms over a “perfect storm” of potential outbreaks, with vaccination levels falling below the World Health Organization’s recommended threshold for population immunity. The warning comes from Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan, clinical lead at London Medical Laboratory, who urges vigilance against measles and meningitis, two diseases posing a growing threat due to waning vaccination uptake.
“Over the past 10 years, uptake for childhood vaccinations in England has been steadily declining,” says Dr Narayanan. This includes vaccines for a range of serious diseases such as whooping cough, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, meningitis, and diphtheria. The impact of the anti-MMR vaccine scare, alongside disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, has left many children and young adults vulnerable as they enter educational institutions without key inoculations.
In response, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has launched a new vaccination campaign in collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England. The initiative aims to remind parents of the risks associated with missing childhood vaccinations, stressing the importance of protection against illnesses like measles and meningitis.
“The fallout from the drop in vaccinations is already evident,” Dr Narayanan warns. “Since autumn 2023, there have been several measles outbreaks in regions like the West Midlands, the North West, and London, marking the highest number of cases in England since 2012.” Measles, he notes, can lead to serious complications, including hospitalisation, lifelong issues, and, in rare cases, death.
Children who missed out on their MMR vaccinations are particularly at risk. Ideally, children receive two doses: the first at one year old and the second at around three years and four months. “If this hasn’t happened,” Narayanan urges, “parents should get their children vaccinated immediately.” The message from the current campaign is clear: “If children aren’t vaccinated, they’re not protected.”
Equally critical is the MenACWY vaccine, which guards against four strains of meningococcal bacteria responsible for meningitis and septicaemia. While the vaccine is typically administered to students aged 13 to 15, many students missed out during the Covid lockdowns and are now heading to university unvaccinated. Coverage for the MenACWY vaccine has dropped to 79.6%, leaving a significant portion of students at risk.
Dr Narayanan highlights a further concern: the similarity between early meningitis symptoms and more common ailments like “freshers’ flu” or a bad hangover. “In its early stages, meningitis can be difficult to distinguish from minor illnesses, which is why vaccination is so important.”
Students who missed the vaccine can still receive it up until their 25th birthday, and the Government advises all first-time university students to ensure they are vaccinated. The advice is straightforward: “If you’re starting university, make sure you’re protected.”
The warnings from health experts come at a crucial time, as young people gather in close quarters, increasing the likelihood of infectious diseases spreading. For those concerned about their health, Dr Narayanan suggests undergoing a general health test to check overall fitness levels, which can boost the body’s response to serious infections. “The healthier a person is, the better their response will be to new viruses and potential outbreaks,” he concludes.
