Student Vaccinations

Infectious diseases can spread easily in university communities. More face-to-face contact means you’re at higher risk of catching and passing on infectious diseases. The University encourages you to protect yourself by having the appropriate vaccinations.

Check your vaccinations before arriving at University

International Students

If you’ve moved to Scotland from overseas, make sure you're up to date with the vaccinations offered for free by the NHS in Scotland. You may be able to get additional vaccines that were not available where you lived before.

1. Meningococcal ACWY immunisation

The meningitis ACWY (MenACWY) vaccine helps protect against meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning). These infections are caused by meningococcal bacteria groups A, C, W and Y. As a new student, you are at an increased risk of MenACWY because you have more close contact with other new students, especially during Welcome Week and if you are living in University accommodation.

If you are starting university it is strongly recommended that you get the MenACWY single-dose vaccine to protect yourself and others. The MenACWY vaccine is routinely offered to young people in the UK around 14 years of age. 

If you are a postgraduate and have any queries about this Meningitis and septicaemia you should speak to your doctor. 

MenACWY (NHS Inform website)

2. Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) immunisation (for all students)

Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious conditions that can have serious, and potentially fatal complications. There have been small outbreaks of mumps and measles within universities over the past few years in the UK among students who have not been vaccinated or have just had one MMR immunisation in their lives.

You should check your MMR vaccination history before you leave for University.  If you have not had two vaccinations, then we would strongly encourage you to make sure you receive both doses before arriving on-campus. 

MMR vaccine (NHS Choices website)

NHS Inform Student Vaccines 

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

NHS Inform does recommend getting HPV but not all are eligible.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine helps protect against HPV-related cancers including head, neck and cervical cancer. It also protects against over 90% of genital wart infections

Most students will have had the HPV vaccine at school. If you missed it, you may still be able to get it up until you turn 25.

This only applies to:

  • people who are currently eligible
  • boys who became eligible from the 2019/2020 academic year
  • girls under 25 who were eligible under routine and catch up HPV vaccine programmes introduced in 2008

If you’re from Scotland and have not yet had the HPV vaccine, you first need to register with a GP practice local to your new address.

Read more about the HPV vaccination for MSM

What should you do if you missed getting the necessary vaccinations before arriving at University?

If you did not get MenACWY and/or MMR immunisation before starting University, we would encourage you to get the vaccine as soon as possible with your registered doctor/GP Practice, ideally in Welcome Week.

In order to access vaccination services, students must be registered with a GP in Scotland and have a CHI number. Please check NHS Lothian Immunisation for more information.

Register with a GP/doctor

Please note: you do not need to offer proof to the University that you have received any of these immunisations, however, it is in the best interest of your health that you protect yourself against potentially life-threatening illnesses.

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