Discussions have commenced to encourage students to get the vaccine once they return on campus for the new academic year.

Health bosses have confirmed they are in the 'planning stages' to determine what strategies will be implemented to facilitate vaccine uptake among students.

It is after calls were made to set up vaccination centres on university campuses to ensure all students are fully vaccinated at the start of the autumn term.

The Russell Group, which represents some of the most prestigious universities in the UK, including the University of Nottingham, has offered spaces and facilities on campuses for vaccines to ensure a smooth start to the next academic year.

However, it has not been confirmed by public health bosses if this could apply to Nottingham universities.

In a public health meeting for Nottinghamshire, Chief executive of Notts Healthcare John Brewin said: “We’re in the planning stages of what we’re describing as stage 3 of the vaccine rollout which will commence in September when students come back to university.

"Nottingham has a really rich tradition of being a centre for university studies.

"Within that planning, we’re looking at the geography of where the vaccination centre locations will be across the county.

"There are a number of quite significant variables that have yet to be confirmed nationally as to what that will look like as to whether the boosters, as they’re described, will be different vaccines to the one they’ve had to start with and how that will fit in with the flu programme which also starts nationally at that time of year.

"We will undoubtedly continue to have centres whether they’re at the university or not is a work in progress.

"There will also be a significant push to make them much more accessible locally within primary care, practices and community pharmacies.

"All that needs to be threaded into how the sites will be."

Nottingham students have shared mixed views on having vaccination centres on campuses.

Second-year student at Nottingham Trent University Kieran Burt, 20, said: "I do not think it is necessary because by then most students would have had their first jab and some their second at different vaccination centres all across the country.

"It sounds like a logistical nightmare to organise which students have had their jab and then match their vaccine up too.

"I'm sure it could be done, but it would be difficult to organise, especially when universities should be focusing on making sure things like in-person teaching happen.

"There is no need for student-specific vaccination centres as our current system isn't under strain and unlike testing getting vaccinated isn't done several times a week."

Second-year journalism student Rucsandra Moldoveanu, 19, has backed up the possible strategy by saying: "I think university campuses should have vaccination centres at the start of the next academic year because it would be really convenient for all students who still haven’t got their jab to just drop in and grab their vaccine.

"Everyone is going to be on campus in September, October anyway so it would be really easy for students to just walk in and get their vaccine without booking an appointment."

Both Nottingham universities said they will be 'working closely' with the local authorities to determine the best solutions for this.

A Nottingham Trent University spokesperson said: “We are currently focused on encouraging our student community to receive their vaccination now that they are eligible, providing support and information and directing them to the national booking service.

“As we have shown throughout this pandemic, NTU is always prepared to offer its assistance where possible and our partners know that our facilities, resources and support are available to them should they ever be required in the future.”

A University of Nottingham spokesperson added: "We have worked closely with the city council and public health authorities throughout the pandemic and have been happy to host testing and vaccination centres on-campus for the citizens of Nottingham, including our students, many of whom are working or volunteering on the NHS frontline.

“We are running campaigns to encourage our students to take up their vaccinations as soon as they are offered, and latest figures show more than 47% have already received at least their first jab.

"Whilst the location of future vaccination centres is a matter for the local authorities, we will continue to fully support them in the city’s efforts to tackle Covid-19."