NHS England is working with Public Health England to ask parents of unvaccinated 17- to 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, coordinated 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.

Local GPs are writing to all eligible 18-year-olds who haven’t had the jab yet to remind them to book an appointment.