Immunisation and vaccine-preventable diseases quarterly report
January to March 2020 (Q1)
An Experimental Statistics publication for Scotland
- Published
- 02 June 2020
- Type
- Statistical report
- Author
- Public Health Scotland
About this release
PHS provides quarterly information on the following immunisations and vaccine-preventable diseases under surveillance in Scotland:
- Haemophilus influenzae
- measles
- meningococcal disease
- mumps
- pertussis
- invasive pneumococcal disease
- rotavirus
- rubella
- shingles
Main points
- The number of reported cases of vaccine-preventable diseases in Scotland generally remains low and stable.
- No cases of measles were reported during the first quarter of 2020, however increased measles activity in Europe and globally poses a threat to international travellers and Scotland. This risk is likely to be reduced by the on-going global travel restrictions enforced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Number of mumps cases for the first quarter of 2020 exceeded the total cases for 2019 and continues to be higher in individuals aged 17 to 34 years, compared to those in the younger and older age groups. Although the vaccination status of cases is not routinely collected, this is consistent with the age groups which are likely to be under-immunised with a mumps-containing vaccine, or for whom there is waning immunity.
- A reduction in mumps cases was observed in March, in comparison to the first two months of 2020. This trend may be expected to continue as a result of social distancing measures to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19, which may interrupt the transmission of mumps. It may also reflect reduction in diagnoses due to reduced attendance at primary care services.
General enquiries
If you have an enquiry relating to this publication, please email phs.immunisation@phs.scot.
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Older versions of this publication
Versions of this publication released before 16 March 2020 may be found on the Data and Intelligence, Health Protection Scotland or Improving Health websites.