Advertiser letters: Vaccinations for Freshers and phone scam warning
- Credit: PA Archive/Press Association Ima
Letters, contributions and comments sent in to the Advertiser this week.
Get vaccinated Freshers
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisations at Public Health England (PHE), writes:
We care calling on London Freshers to get their MenACWY and MMR vaccines
We know that colleges and universities can be hot spots for the spread of measles and meningococcal disease. First year students especially are at increased risk of meningococcal infection if they are unvaccinated – which makes sense when they spend large amounts of time with new people in confined environments such as university halls.
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We therefore encourage students to check with their GP that they are up to date with their MMR and MenACWY vaccinations before term starts – it’s never too late to protect themselves and their friends.
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can have serious complications. Meningitis and septicaemia can develop suddenly and can kill or leave people with life changing disabilities and long-term health problems.
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The MenACWY vaccine does not protect against every strain that can cause meningitis and septicaemia, so it’s important to be aware of the symptoms.
If you think you’ve got either measles or meningitis, call NHS 111 straight away.
Beware of phone scam
Kevin Collins, Old Bethnal Green Road, Bethnal Green, writes:
I am writing to warn elderly and vulnerable people about a phone call that shook up my elderly mum.
My mum answered the phone and was told it was the police.
The caller then went on to tell her that she was in arrears and needed to settle and outstanding debt there and then. She was alarmed firstly because it was the police calling and also that she apparently owed money.
Fortunately my dad was there and took over the call.
My dad then rang the police and told them what had happened. He was told that the police never chase outstanding debts and that this call was definitely a scam.
Although reassured my mum was still shaken up.
I just made other readers aware that calls like this are bogus and should be ignored.
The police will not call chasing outstanding debts.
• For more information on crime prevention visit met.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/