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UCL receives Meningitis Awareness Recognition Mark

9 November 2018

Student Support and Wellbeing (SSW) are very pleased to announce that UCL has been awarded the Meningitis Awareness Recognition Mark (MARM).

Meningitis Awareness Recognition Mark

Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (NHS).

This recognition has been awarded by the charity Meningitis Now in recognition of the work Student Support and Wellbeing have been doing to:

  • Raising awareness of meningitis amongst students and staff
  • Promoting Men ACWY vaccine uptake
  • Planning ahead with appropriate protocols

During the enrolment period at the start of the 2018/19 academic year, SSW teamed up with Green Light Pharmacy to provide ACWY vaccination clinics. These were set up in multiple UCL managed halls of residence and offered to all students under 25. Following this, SSW organised another day of ACWY vaccinations in the South Cloisters (picture below) where well over 100 students turned up to receive a free vaccination. The School of Pharmacy also got involved by offering a two day vaccination clinic during start of session.

The vaccination campaign was a great success, with over 1000 students receiving their free ACWY meningitis vaccination.

If you have not yet had this free vaccination, you can get this at the Green Light Pharmacy. This if offered on a walk in basis, so no need for an appointment! If you are unsure if you have had this vaccination, speak with your GP for guidance and if you are not registered with a GP, you are strongly advised to do so! Check out where your closest GP practice is via the NHS website. You may be able to register at the Ridgmount Practice located close to the main Bloomsbury campus. More details on this can be found here.

What to know: the signs and symptoms of Meningitis

  • Fever, cold hands and feet
  • Drowsy, difficult to walk
  • Severe muscle pain
  • Severe headache
  • Dislike bright lights
  • Vomiting
  • Confusion and irritability
  • Pale, blotchy skin spots/rash
  • Stiff neck
  • Convulsion/seizures
  • It can affect anyone at any age
  • Meningitis can be fatal

Symptoms can appear in any order and may not show all. If you are concerned, seek medical attention immediately by calling 999.

For more information on meningitis, here are some useful links: