Student immunisation catch-up programme

The PHA (Public Health Agency) along with trust vaccination teams are running student immunisation catch-up programmes in colleges and universities across Northern Ireland, giving students who missed getting the vaccines in school during the COVID-19 pandemic the opportunity to receive the vaccines now.

Teenage immunisations include the 3 in 1 teenage booster (Tetanus, diphtheria and polio), the MenACWY, which protects against four strains of meningococcal bacteria which cause meningitis and blood poisoning (septicaemia) and the HPV vaccine (human papilloma virus) which protects against cervical, head and neck cancers.

Deidre Ward, Nurse Consultant at the PHA said: “The teenage immunisation vaccines are normally offered as part of the school-based vaccination programme, however due to the disruption caused during the COVID-19 pandemic some children may have missed getting the vaccines. 

“Getting immunisations as a teenager is every bit as important as the vaccinations that you receive as a baby or toddler. The 3 in 1 booster vaccine offered helps protect against three serious diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and polio. There is a tendency to think of these as diseases of the past, but we must remember that before vaccines existed, these diseases killed thousands of children in the UK every year. However, thankfully they are now preventable, but only through vaccination.

“In total, you need five doses of the tetanus, diphtheria and polio vaccines through your childhood. This will build up and maintain your body’s own immunity against these infections and help protect you against these preventable diseases. You receive the first three doses as a baby, the fourth dose is given around the age of 3 as a pre-school booster, and the fifth and final dose as a teenager.

“The MenACWY vaccine will help protect against four different causes of meningitis and septicaemia – meningococcal A,C,W and Y diseases. Older teenagers are at higher risk of getting Meningococcal W disease (MenW), due to them mixing with larger groups of people, making them more exposed to various infections and diseases, so you need to get vaccinated to help protect yourself. It will also reduce the risk of you carrying the bacteria, therefore offering better protection to those around you. MenW was generally rare in the UK, but there has been an increase in cases in recent years.

“The HPV vaccine will help protect you against HPV infection and associated cancers, including over 70% of cervical cancers in women, and cancers of the mouth, throat, anus and genitals in men and women. For the vaccine to work fully, two injections will be needed within a 12 month period. It is important to have both vaccinations to get maximum protection. HPV is very common and is easily spread through sexual activity. It is estimated that the level of protection offered by the vaccine will last for at least 10 years so it is very important that your child receives the vaccine to help protect him or her from HPV infection and associated cancers in the future.”

Trust vaccination teams will be visiting colleges and universities across Northern Ireland week commencing 13 March, look out for details of clinics happening within or near your place of study.

You may have received an immunisation card or letter confirming you have had these vaccinations, or a parent/guardian may be able to help.  They may have recorded the vaccinations in your Personal Child Health Record (the ‘Red Book’). If you cannot confirm your vaccination status, the vaccination team will be able to check your records on the day of the visit. They will also be happy to answer questions about the vaccinations.

Further information on the vaccines

It is important to make an informed decision about whether or not to receive these vaccinations. To find out more about the vaccines see pha.site/teenageleaflets