Public Health Scotland has developed a campaign which aims to encourage uptake of childhood vaccinations, to help address the declines seen across the programme over the past decade.

Students are at increased risk of infectious diseases like meningitis and measles. These diseases spread easily in universities and colleges, as students mix closely with others from around the country and overseas. The new term for Scottish universities and colleges is an important opportunity to remind students of free vaccinations provided by the NHS in Scotland.

Last winter, Scotland experienced very high levels of flu, with more than 6,500 adults becoming so ill that they were admitted to hospital. This year, Scotland is already seeing cases of flu starting to increase.

The campaign Chat. Sign. Protect. exists to raise awareness of the vaccines offered to young people in secondary school and the serious disease they protect against.   

Uptake rates of childhood vaccinations in Scotland remain high at around 95%, however there have been declines across baby and pre-school vaccinations in Scotland over the past decade.