A renewed push for parents to ensure their teens are vaccinated against meningococcal  disease

A Shirley Boys' High School student has been hospitalised after contracting the illness, after attending a rugby tournament in Dunedin last week.

Close contacts have been given antibiotics.

Meningitis Foundation chair, Gerard Rushton, says the symptoms are similar to the flu, with a rash or sore neck often appearing before it's too late.

He says the disease is one of the most feared by the medical profession, as it's hard to diagnose and easily missed.