STUDENTS across the borough are being urged to get vaccinated against meningitis C infection before they head to university..

Dudley Council’s Office of Public Health is advising all freshers to book an appointment with their GP to receive a vaccine booster to protect them against the rare but life threatening disease.

In the UK, all children are offered the vaccine to protect them against the infection but as immunity decreases over time, a booster for teenagers was launched last year.

For the next few years, university freshers who have not had the booster in their teens will be eligible for this vaccination.

Councillor Rachel Harris, cabinet member for health, said: “This is an exciting time for students making their final preparations before heading to university for the first time and they’ve a lot to think about.

"But it’s important they take the time to make an appointment with their GP to get protected against this disease."