Immunisation and vaccine-preventable diseases quarterly report
January to March 2021 (Q1)

About this release

Public Health Scotland 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 remains low and stable.
• The number of reported cases of invasive bacterial diseases (Haemophilus influenzae, meningococcal disease, invasive pneumococcal disease) to the end of 2020 was lower than in the previous four years. Numbers in the first quarter (January to March) of 2021 continue to be lower than the equivalent period in previous years.
• No cases of measles have been reported since 2019, and numbers across Europe have declined over the past 12 months. However, measles activity in Europe and globally continues to pose a threat to international travellers and in Scotland as global travel restrictions are relaxed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
• There were no cases of mumps reported in the first quarter of 2021.
• The number of mumps cases reported in 2020 was 853, which exceeded the 784 cases reported in 2019. Cases were highest in individuals between the ages of 17 and 34 years, which are consistent with the age groups which are likely to be under-immunised with a mumps-containing vaccine, or for whom there is waning immunity.
• In 2020, there were 198 laboratory reports of Bordella pertussis, the majority of which occurred in the first quarter of the year. Only one case was reported in the first quarter of 2021.
• All vaccine-preventable diseases under surveillance have shown a notable reduction in the past 12 months. This is likely to be due to the social distancing measures and restrictions implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.