Universities will encourage students to be vaccinated against mumps

There were warnings last week about a mumps epidemic in the UK, particularly affecting people aged 19 to 23.

Universities UK, representing the higher education sector, says it is about to issue guidance on inoculations and awareness of symptoms.

Universities are urging young people "to take up the offer of a free MMR vaccination".

Vaccine stocks

According to investigators at the Health Protection Agency there has been a substantial increase in the incidence of mumps - and in January there were nearly 5,000 cases. Most were among young adults born before 1988.

Against fears of outbreaks spreading among young people, Universities UK says it will support "proactive steps" to prevent epidemics, "including mass inoculations and awareness campaigns".

The universities' organisation wants to ensure that students have received an MMR vaccination - and it says that it has been assured that there are sufficient vaccine stocks available for students.