Vaccinations

We encourage all students to get their vaccinations before coming to university. This is because it can take a few weeks to build up immunity.

If you’re not able to get vaccinated before you arrive, you should register with a doctor when you get to Leeds.

Vaccinations for international students

If you’re an international student coming to Leeds from outside the UK, bring a record of your vaccinations with your essential documents. You do not need to tell the University if you’ve been vaccinated.

Tuberculosis

International students from countries where you need a TB test for your UK visa application should use a clinic approved by the Home Office.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection. You can catch it by inhaling small droplets from the coughs or sneezes of a person with the infection.

TB mainly affects the lungs, but it can affect any part of the body, including your:

tummy or abdomen
glands
bones
and nervous system.

Meningitis

Public Health England recommends all adults up to 25 years of age get the meningitis vaccine. This vaccine also protects against septicaemia - blood poisoning.

If you have not had a meningitis vaccination before coming to Leeds, make an appointment with your doctor to arrange this.

Meningococcal meningitis/septicaemia is an uncommon illness. But it can be serious. People with meningitis can become ill fast and should seek urgent medical attention.

Signs of meningitis infection

Because meningitis can make you ill fast, it’s important to know the early signs of Meningococcal infection, which include:

severe headache
high temperature/fever
vomiting
stiff neck
aching limbs or joints
discomfort with bright light (photophobia)
drowsiness or confusion
muscle pains, especially in the legs
fine purple rash, which does not fade when pressed with a glass.

Not all these symptoms will be present in all cases.

Many school pupils in the UK have the meningitis vaccine between the ages of 13 to 15. If you had the vaccine at school, you won’t need to get it again.

Mumps

In recent years, there has been a rise in cases of mumps. Though mumps cases are usually mild, the disease can cause significant infections for some people.