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.

MenB vaccination

Following recent outbreaks in the UK, a temporary meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination programme will launch in July 2026.

MenB can cause meningitis and sepsis, which are serious illnesses that can spread quickly in shared living environments such as student accommodation. The vaccine helps protect against most strains of MenB bacteria.

You may be eligible for a free MenB vaccination if you are:

  • under 25 and starting an undergraduate degree for the first time in 2026–27, including international students OR
  • eligible through your school year or age group in the UK

Full protection requires two doses and takes time to build, so you should get vaccinated as early as possible, ideally before the start of the academic year. The second dose must be given at least 4 weeks after the first dose.

If you are an international student, try to get the vaccine before travelling to Scotland if it is available to you. If this is not possible, you can access the vaccine free of charge after you arrive.

For information about eligibility, clinic locations and how to book your vaccination, visit the NHS vaccination webpages. You should also register with a local GP shortly after arriving in Edinburgh.

Visit nhsinform and follow the links to the vaccination website for your Health Board for information about localised clinic set ups.

nhsinform 

Questions

Please call the NHS Lothian Vaccination Enquiries Helpline on 0300 790 6296. The helpline is open Monday – Friday and closed on Saturday and Sunday

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)

Symptoms information (Meningitis now)


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 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:

  • 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


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.

NHS Lothian Immunisation

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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