Cheshire East Council is urging all school leavers to ensure that they have been vaccinated against meningitis W.
After a highly impressive exam season for the young people of East Cheshire, many will be looking forward to accepting their university offers.
Meningitis W is a rare but severe illness that can be spread from person to person, with many people carrying it without ever being affected by it. However, meningitis W can be fatal for as many as one in 10 people who become ill with it and it can have many life-altering after-effects, such as loss of sight or hearing.
The best way that young people can protect themselves is vaccination. The national programme of vaccinating young people as they finish school has reduced the number of cases of this illness in previous years.
Councillor Liz Wardlaw, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for health, said: “This is an exciting time for our young people as they move on to the next stage of their lives. This should be a time in their lives where they can make the most of their education and their time at university.
“The best way to make sure that they stay safe from diseases that are preventable, such as meningitis W, is to be vaccinated against it. This is true for all of our school leavers in East Cheshire whether they’re going to university or heading into employment.”
The Meningitis ACWY vaccine is available from GP practices.
For further information and advice about symptoms and vaccination, please visit: www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/men-acwy-vaccine.aspx
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