CHARITY Meningitis Now is challenging Redditch students returning to university this January to take a healthy New Year resolution to protect themselves and their friends by getting a free lifesaving vaccination.
First-year students up to the age of 25 are eligible for the free Meningococcal ACWY vaccine, which protects against a particularly deadly form of meningitis, meningococcal W (Men W).
Cases of Men W rose from 22 in 2009/10 to more than 225 in 2016/17 and total deaths across all age groups also increased from less than five to at least 20 over the same period.
The vaccine is available from local GP practices.
