KEIGHLEY-district students are being encouraged to check that they’re up to date with jabs before heading to university.

NHS Bradford district and Craven clinical commissioning groups say students should ensure they’ve had their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and meningitis (MenACWY) vaccinations.

Health bosses warn of a recent increase in measles cases across the country, as well as large outbreaks throughout Europe.

And there were outbreaks of mumps in universities in England earlier this year.

“New university students can be at a higher risk of infection because many of them mix closely with lots of people in confined environments,” said Dr Louise Clarke, the groups’ clinical lead for young people.

“This can create hotspots for measles, mumps and meningococcal disease and present the perfect opportunity for the infection to spread.

“The MMR vaccine is available for free to anyone who has not received both doses as a child. If students are unsure, they can contact their GP practice to check.

“Alongside that, it is also important to remind students – and freshers in particular – to get the MenACWY vaccine which protects against meningitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning), which can both be fatal.”