College students slow to take meningitis vaccine

COLLEGE students are at high risk of contracting meningitis but are often unwilling to avail of free vaccines, according to experts.

The immunisation scheme launched in October 2000 targeted young children and people aged 16-22.

It has resulted in a 90% overall decrease in Meningitis C. While the programme was successful in secondary schools, take-up of the free Meningitis C vaccine among older students is as low as 10% in some regions.