Getting vaccinated
It's really important to check you're fully vaccinated against infectious diseases before starting at Edinburgh Napier, as these can spread easily in university communities. The free vaccines offered by NHS Scotland will help protect you and other students around you.
What vaccinations should I get?
The most important vaccines to get are for:
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- Meningitis ACWY
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Vaccines are offered for free by NHS Scotland. If you've moved to Scotland from overseas, you may be eligible for additional vaccines that were not available where you lived previously.
To find out how you can get these vaccines, as well as any others you may be eligible for, visit the NHS Inform website.
Vaccines and spotting symptoms
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
The MMR vaccine helps to protect babies against measles, mumps and rubella. It is sometimes also offered to adults who missed their childhood immunisations.
Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious diseases that can leave children suffering serious medical complications. However, the high number of people getting the MMR vaccine in Scotland means there's been a big reduction in the number of people catching these diseases.
Spotting the common signs of measles:
- a high temperature of 38 °C or more
- a rash on the skin that usually first appears on the head/neck and then spreads to the rest of the body
- cold-like symptoms
- sore, red eyes that may be sensitive to light
Meningitis ACWY
The meningitis ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine helps protect against meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning) caused by 4 groups of meningococcal bacteria: A, C, W and Y.
Meningococcal bacteria are significant causes of meningitis and septicaemia. There are 5 main groups of meningococcal bacteria that can cause meningitis and septicaemia – A, B, C, W and Y.
The MenACWY vaccine's replaced the MenC vaccine that was previously used in the routine teenage immunisation programme in S3.
Spotting the common signs of meningitis:
- a blotchy rash which doesn't fade when a glass is rolled over it
- a high temperature
- being sick
- a stiff neck
- severe headache
HPV
Most students will have had the HPV vaccine at school. If you missed it, you may still be eligible for the vaccine.
If you are a student (from Scotland or from overseas) and have not been offered the vaccine, you first need to register with a GP practice local to your new address.
You'll be eligible for the HPV vaccine if:
- You were assigned female at birth and are under 25
- You were assigned male at birth and started secondary school during or after the 2019/2020 school year
- You were assigned male at birth, have sex with men (MSM), and are aged up to and including 45 years old
Men who have sex with men are offered the vaccine because they're known to have a higher risk of HPV infection due to not being protected by the girls' HPV programme.
Covid-19
Some students who have a weakened immune system or certain eligible health conditions may be offered the coronavirus vaccine.