MMR jabs will be offered on Wednesday and Thursday

Around 100 students at the city's two universities have contracted the virus since the beginning of term.

Ten were ill enough to require hospital treatment although they have now been discharged.

More cases are still being reported so it has been decided to offer students aged between 18 and 25 the MMR vaccine at special sessions to be held on Wednesday and Thursday.

Little immunity

Dr Rosie McNaught, consultant in communicable disease control for the NHS in Sheffield, said that this group are particularly susceptible to mumps.

"They have not had MMR but their younger siblings probably have so they not been exposed to mumps and have little immunity

"When one person gets it, it is spread through coughs and sneezes."

Dr McNaught said that the controversial possible side effects of MMR are not a danger to young people of this age group.

End of term

"They are being asked if they would like this vaccine to protect their own health.

"But we have no idea what the take-up will be."

She added that it was important to take action even though it is near the end of term.

This is because many students approaching exams do not go home for the whole of the vacation but return early to Sheffield to continue their studies.