NHS England is working with Public Health England to ask parents of unvaccinated 17-18 year-olds across the South West to make sure their teenagers get immunised against meningococcal disease strains A, C, W and Y (MenACWY).

Meningococcal group W (MenW) cases have increased since 2009 and a particularly aggressive strain is causing disease in all age groups.

Teenagers and students are at higher risk because they mix closely with large numbers of new friends, some of whom will unknowingly be carrying the bacteria, enabling it to spread more easily.

To encourage teenagers to get the jab, a local campaign, co-ordinated by NHS England and Public Health England is being targeted at schools and colleges in the region asking students who haven’t had the MenACWY jab yet to contact their GP to get vaccinated.

Schools and colleges can expect to receive a number of resources to help encourage their students to get vaccinated including leaflets, posters and letters.

As part of the programme for vaccinating this age group, local GPs are supporting the push for students to get the MenACWY vaccination by writing to all eligible 18 year-olds who haven’t had the jab yet to remind them to book an appointment.

Steve Dayman, founder of the charity Meningitis Now, said: “We welcome this timely reminder for parents and young people to take this simple and potentially lifesaving step.

“Meningitis is a devastating disease and students need to be aware of the risks and the potential consequences of not being vaccinated.

“We urge all those eligible to get their vaccination as soon as possible and their parents to encourage them to do so.”