Vaccinations for students entering college or university

At college or university you will be meeting, mixing and living with lots of new people. This can be an ideal environment for viral infections to spread.

Vaccination protects you from serious, potentially even fatal diseases. Being fully vaccinated will also help to limit the spread of these viruses. This will help protect you, your family, your peers, and vulnerable people.

Make sure you are protected against:

• Measles (nhs.uk) 
• Mumps (nhs.uk)
• Meningitis (nhs.uk)
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) (nhs.uk)

Vaccinations you should have received:

• 2 doses of the MMR vaccine 

This protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Children are usually vaccinated before they start primary school.

• 1 dose of MenACWY vaccine

This protects against 4 different strains of Meningitis (A, C,Y and Men W). You are usually offered this vaccine in year 9.

• The HPV vaccine

This protects against Human Papillomavirus (nhs.uk), a very common sexually transmitted infection. The HPV vaccine helps protect against cancers and genital warts caused by HPV. You are usually first offered the vaccine in year 8.

In the past, the HPV vaccine has been offered as two doses. Expert evidence now shows one dose provides young people with the same level of protection as the previous two doses. From 1^st September 2023, if you have received one dose of HPV vaccine you are fully vaccinated against HPV and will not need any additional doses.

• COVID-19, Mpox and Flu vaccines

Some students will also be eligible for additional vaccines such as COVID-19, flu and mpox, if they are in eligible risk groups. Ask your GP or healthcare professional for more information. 

Visit the Public Health Wales website for further information on vaccines.