CHORLEY'S first year university students are being urged to get immunised against a killer disease.

The University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is sending leaflets to freshers, telling them to make appointments to have the vaccine for meningitis C before the beginning of term.

The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Liam Donaldson, said: "This year we are offering the existing polysaccharide meningitis C vaccine to all new first year students as part of our overall approach to introducing the new vaccine for younger age groups starting later this year.

"We want all first year university students and higher education college students to be immunised against meningitis C before they get there."

He added that parents could play their part too.

"They can help by telephoning their GP's surgery to make an appointment for their son or daughter going to university or college to be immunised before they go.

"The vaccine will give protection against meningitis C but will not protect students against some other strains of the disease.

"Therefore it is extremely important that students are able to recognise the symptoms of meningococcal infection."

The message to students is to 'look out for your mate' - keeping an eye on friends and neighbours at college and in halls of residence.

The leaflet advises students to look out for symptoms such as feeling feverish, headache and vomiting.

And it tells them to get urgent medical help if they get the following symptoms: dislike of light, disorientation and a bruise-like rash that doesn't fade under pressure.

James Asser, National Union of Students welfare vice-president, said: "The NUS is delighted that the Department of Health is establishing the meningitis immunisation programme for students.

"However, students still need to be vigilant - know the symptoms of meningitis and look out for other students who may have contracted the disease."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.