Infectious diseases can spread easily in college and university communities. More face-to-face contact means you’re at higher risk of catching and passing on infectious diseases.
What am I eligible for?
It’s really important for all students to ensure they’re up-to-date with their vaccines for:
All vaccines are given as an injection.
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 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.
Read more about the HPV vaccine
The HPV vaccine is available in Scotland for men who have sex with men (MSM) 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. The HPV vaccine may be offered to MSM at sexual health and HIV clinics across Scotland.
Read more about the HPV vaccine for men who have sex with men
I’m not sure if I’ve missed any vaccinations
If you’re not sure if you’re up to date on all your vaccines, you can check your red book to see immunisations you’ve had. If you do not have a red book, contact your GP to check your vaccination records. If they cannot help, you can try contacting your local NHS immunisation team.
Read more about accessing your vaccination records
If you’ve come to Scotland from overseas, you may be eligible for free vaccines that aren’t available where you lived previously.
Read more about healthcare for those coming from overseas, and registering with a GP practice
What if I’ve missed my vaccination?
If you’ve missed any vaccination, make sure you try and get it as soon as possible. To arrange a vaccine appointment, contact your local NHS immunisation team.
What is immunisation?
Immunisation protects you against serious diseases. Once immunised, your body is better at fighting these diseases if you come into contact with them.
All vaccines in the routine immunisation programme are provided free in Scotland by the NHS.
Vaccination means having a vaccine. Immunisation means both having a vaccine and becoming immune to a disease, as a result of getting the vaccine.
How do vaccines work?
Vaccines work by helping the body’s immune system make antibodies (substances that fight off infection). If you come into contact with the infection once immunised, the antibodies recognise the infection and help protect you. Vaccines have either a very weak form of the germ or virus that causes a disease, or a small part of it.
Are vaccines safe?
Vaccines are the safest way to protect against disease. All medicines (including vaccines) are tested to assess their safety and effectiveness. The safety of vaccines continues to be monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) once they’re in use.
Do
- wear something suitable so that it’s easy to access your upper arm for injections
- have the vaccine if you’ve a minor illness, as long as you don’t have a fever
Don’t
- do not have your vaccine if you’re ill with a fever
After the vaccine
It’s common to experience some side effects such as swelling, tenderness or redness where you were given the injection. Sometimes a small painless lump develops. These side effects should disappear on their own.
Read more about common side effects of immunisations
Very rarely, some people experience an anaphylactic reaction (serious allergic reaction) soon after vaccination. This can cause difficulty breathing and may cause them to collapse. The person giving you your vaccine is trained to deal with this extremely rare type of reaction.
Phone 999 immediately if:
- you have a fit
If you think you might be seriously ill, trust your instincts and seek urgent medical attention.
Phone your GP immediately if:
- you have a temperature of 39°C or above
If your GP surgery is closed, call 111.
Student Health
NHS Inform is there to help you stay healthy at school or university. It has health information to help you look after your own health and wellbeing.
You can search for particular topics, or look up your symptoms to access self-help guides and advice.
These guides show you the next steps, such as who to call, or which service to go to, and how urgently. These guides are produced by the same clinical team who support the 111 phone service.
Read more about staying healthy while at college or university
