Ill-advised authorities

The refusal of some health authorities to immunise students studying at the University of Cardiff against meningitis could cost lives.

Although recently published guidelines ("Students at risk after meningitis advice", THES, October 2) on managing meningitis in higher education institutions are often, and correctly, quoted as stating routine vaccination of university students is not recommended, too many health authorities ignore the next sentence, which refers to "consideration of local variation of this policy, eg, because of high local incidence".

The Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority advised us that new undergraduates coming to Southampton should be immunised before arrival because of the high local incidence; one on-campus health practice has reported that about three-quarters of new undergraduates have followed this advice.

But statements from other health authorities have not helped. The BBC quoted a spokesman for the Wiltshire Health Authority as saying: "The evidence is quite clear. Any excess in cases of meningitis occur in late November or December, not in the first two weeks of term."

This is untrue. In Southampton last year, three students died of meningitis by November 2. How many other health authorities have been as badly advised?

Peter Reader

Head of public affairs University of Southampton