Immunisation and vaccine-preventable diseases quarterly report
January to March 2025 (Q1)

About this release

Our quarterly update

This release by Public Health Scotland (PHS) provides quarterly information for the period January to March 2025 on the following immunisations and vaccine-preventable diseases under surveillance in Scotland:

• Diphtheria
• Invasive Haemophilus influenzae (H.influenzae) disease
• Measles
• Meningococcal disease
• Mumps
• Pertussis
• Invasive pneumococcal disease
• Rotavirus
• Rubella
• Shingles

Next release

The next release of this publication will be 2 September 2025.

Main points

Vaccine-preventable disease

There was an increase in pertussis (whooping cough) case numbers from late 2023, which continued into 2024, peaked in June 2024 and subsequently declined over several months. Case numbers in 2024 (n=7,051) were higher than annual case numbers associated with the last significant outbreak of pertussis in Scotland that occurred in 2012 and 2013. Case numbers in the first quarter of 2025 were over ten-fold lower than in the same quarter for 2024. Twenty-three measles cases were reported in Scotland in the first quarter of 2025. Imported cases of measles and subsequent onward transmission were responsible for most of these cases, reflecting increased measles activity in many countries worldwide and highlighting the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage.

Pertussis

There were 81 laboratory-confirmed cases of pertussis reported in the first quarter of 2025. Case numbers in the first quarter of 2025 were over ten-fold lower than in the same quarter for 2024. Scotland experienced a very high number of pertussis cases in 2024. After a period of low pertussis incidence during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic, case numbers in Scotland increased from late 2023, peaked in June 2024, and subsequently declined. There were 7,051 laboratory-confirmed cases in 2024, and 73 cases in 2023, the majority of which (n=56) were reported in the final quarter of the year. 

Prior to 2024, the last significant outbreak in Scotland occurred in 2012 and 2013, with 1,896 and 1,188 laboratory-confirmed cases per year, respectively. There was also increased pertussis activity in 2016, with 1,075 cases laboratory-confirmed cases that year.

Measles, mumps and rubella

There were 23 laboratory-confirmed measles cases reported in the first quarter of 2025. In 2024, there were a total of 24 laboratory-confirmed measles cases reported in Scotland, and in 2023, there was one laboratory-confirmed measles case reported in Scotland. In the first quarter of 2025, there were three known primary cases that led to three distinct chains of transmission and 15 epidemiologically linked cases. Of the three primary cases in the chains of transmission, two were imported to Scotland (related to travel outwith UK) and resulted in a further 12 import-related cases; one primary case was of unknown origin and resulted in a further three cases. There were five cases not involved in chains of transmission, of these, two were imported to Scotland (travel outwith UK), and three had unknown origin with no known epidemiological links or travel outwith Scotland.

The importation of measles cases from outwith the UK and the subsequent onward transmission within unvaccinated communities highlights the importance of maintaining high MMR vaccine uptake in the population.

There were six cases of laboratory-confirmed mumps reported in the first quarter of 2025. There were 12 cases of laboratory-confirmed mumps reported in 2024, 16 cases in 2023, seven cases in 2022 and one in 2021. This is a considerable reduction from the 864 cases reported in 2020 and 784 cases reported in 2019.

There have been no reported cases of rubella in Scotland since 2017.

Invasive bacterial diseases

There were 12 cases of meningococcal disease in the first quarter of 2025. This is higher than the number of cases for the same period in 2022, and 2021 (n=9 and n=2 respectively), but lower than for the same period in 2024, 2023, 2020 and 2019 (n=27, n=15, n=21 and n=21 respectively). Cases of serogroup W (n=2) and Y (n=1) disease were reported, but most cases continue to be serogroup B disease (n=9).

There were 143 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease reported in the first quarter of 2025. This is higher than the number of cases for the same period of 2023, 2022 and 2021 (n=130, n=83 and n=42 respectively), but lower than the number of cases for the same period of 2024, 2020 and 2019 (n=167, n=149 and n=233 respectively).  

There were 28 laboratory-confirmed cases of invasive H. influenzae disease in the first quarter of 2025. This is lower than the number of cases for the same period in 2023 (n=33), but higher than case numbers for the same period in 2024, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (n=20, n=15, n=4, n=25 and n=23 respectively).

Results and commentary

Diphtheria

Background information

Diphtheria is an acute bacterial infection affecting the upper respiratory tract or the skin, caused by toxins from Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C. diphtheriae), Corynebacterium ulcerans (C. ulcerans), and less commonly Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (C. pseudotuberculosis).

The most common symptoms of diphtheria affecting the upper respiratory tract are membranous pharyngitis with fever, lymphadenopathy and upper respiratory tract soft tissue swelling 'bull neck' potentially leading to life-threatening airway obstruction. Cutaneous diphtheria may cause pus-filled blisters on legs, hands and feet, and ulceration of the skin.

In unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals, systemic absorption of the toxin can lead to late complications such as cardiac and neurological conditions, and sometimes death.

Surveillance update for January to March 2025 (week 13)

Diphtheria is rare in the UK because babies and children have been vaccinated against it since the 1940s. Prior to the introduction of a vaccine, up to 70,000 cases a year were confirmed, causing around 5,000 deaths.

There were no cases of toxigenic diphtheria in the first quarter of 2025. There was one case of toxigenic diphtheria (C.ulcerans) reported in 2024, which occurred in the first quarter of the year. In 2023, there were two unrelated cases of toxigenic diphtheria (both C.ulcerans). Prior to these, the last case of toxigenic diphtheria in Scotland was reported in 2020.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported an increase in cases of toxigenic C. diphtheriae among asylum seekers arriving by small boat to England in 2022 and 2023, with similar increases reported elsewhere in Europe. Several health protection measures were undertaken to prepare for potential cases in Scotland, but none were identified. Further details can be found at Diphtheria: cases among asylum seekers in England, 2022 to January 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Vaccination Information

More information on vaccines against diphtheria can be found on the following pages:

• 6-in-one vaccine
• 4-in-one vaccine
• 3-in-one vaccine

Vaccine uptake statistics

Vaccine uptake statistics for children and young people are published in Teenage Td/IPV and MenACWY Immunisation Statistics Scotland - school year 2023/2024,  Childhood Immunisation Statistics quarterly report and the PHS Vaccination Surveillance dashboard. 

Invasive Haemophilus influenzae

Background information

Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) are bacteria commonly carried in the respiratory tract, which can cause acute invasive disease. They are divided into encapsulated and unencapsulated (non-typeable) strains. Encapsulated strains can be classified into six serotypes, from a to f, of which type b (Hib) was most prevalent prior to vaccine introduction. Infection with H. influenzae can cause the following conditions:

• meningitis
• septicaemia
• acute respiratory infections

Less frequent conditions which may be caused by H. influenzae infection include:

• epiglottitis
• osteomyelitis
• septic arthritis

For more information on H. influenzae type b, visit NHS inform.

In 1992, following introduction of the Hib vaccine for young children, the number of invasive H. influenzae type b cases fell dramatically, not only in the vaccinated group, but also in older age groups. The addition of the Hib booster vaccine to the childhood immunisation schedule in 2006, reduced case numbers further.

Due to reduced carriage of the organism within the respiratory tract of vaccinated children, transmission to the wider community was effectively suppressed.

In Scotland, typing is conducted on cases with positive laboratory reports for invasive H. influenzae to monitor national trends in disease subtypes.

Further enhanced surveillance is carried out for all invasive H. influenzae cases identified in children under the age of five, and for invasive H. influenzae cases caused by type b strains across all age groups.

Surveillance update for January to March 2025 (week 13)

There were 28 laboratory-confirmed cases of invasive H. influenzae disease in the first quarter of 2025. This is lower than the number of cases for the same period in 2023 (n=33), but higher than case numbers for the same period in 2024, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (n=20, n=15, n=4, n=25 and n=23 respectively) as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 is a series of line graphs showing the cumulative number of laboratory- confirmed invasive Haemophilus influenzae cases in Scotland per week, by year. Each line represents a different year from 2019 to the end of the first quarter of 2025. The number of cases in the first quarter of 2025 is lower than the number of cases for the same period in 2023, but lower than case numbers for the same period in 2024, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

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Figure 1: Cumulative number of laboratory-confirmed Haemophilus influenzae cases in Scotland, 2019 to 2025 (week 13)

Of the 28 cases in the first quarter of 2025:

• 9 were people aged over 65 years
• 13 were people aged between 35 and 64 years
• four were children aged between one and four years
• two were infants aged under one year

Figure 2 demonstrates the epidemiological impact of the Hib vaccine, for those aged under five (routinely vaccinated group) and for all ages (including under-fives).

There was a marked decrease in invasive H. influenzae type b (Hib) cases from 1992 in all age groups, followed by a rise in case numbers in the early 2000s. Case numbers decreased again following the introduction of the Hib booster vaccine, and figures have remained relatively stable since 2011. Hib cases are now rare in Scotland. There were no Hib cases in Scotland in the first quarter of 2025. One Hib case occurred in Scotland in 2024. This was an adult case. The last case of Hib in the under five years age group was in 2015.

See the vaccine-preventable disease summary for the number and incidence of H. influenzae disease in Scotland over the last six years.

Figure 2 is a line graph showing the number of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease cases in Scotland from 1988 to the end of the first quarter of 2025. There are two lines on the graph, one representing the under 5 age group and the other, total number of cases (including under 5 years). Following introduction of the Hib vaccine in 1992, cases rapidly decreased to single figures. However, in 2001 a sharp increase was observed, and total number of cases peaked at 31 in 2002, prompting introduction of the Hib booster campaign in June 2003. Cases across all ages subsequently decreased and following introduction of a routine Hib booster in 2006, reached low numbers by 2009. There were no Hib cases in Scotland in the first quarter of 2025. There was one Hib case in Scotland in 2024. The last Hib case before this occurred in 2020. The last Hib case in the under-five age group was in 2015.

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Figure 2: Number of laboratory-confirmed Haemophilus influenzae type b disease in Scotland, 1988 to 2025 (week 13)

Figure 3 presents laboratory reports by serotype, since the introduction of the Hib booster campaign in 2003.

Of the 28 cases in the first quarter of 2025:

• one was type f
• 23 were non-typable (i.e. non-encapsulated type)
• typing was not carried out/available for the remaining four isolates

Figure 3 is a bar chart showing the number of laboratory confirmed cases of invasive Haemophilus influenzae by type from 2003 to the end of the first quarter of 2025. The chart shows a steady decline in type b infection since introduction of the Hib vaccine in 2003, with a corresponding increase in non-typeable strains. Non-typeable strains are now the most commonly reported type followed by type f, with very few reports of types a, b, d, and e.

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Figure 3: Number of laboratory-confirmed invasive Haemophilus influenzae cases in Scotland, by serogroup, 2003 to 2025 (week 13)

Vaccination information

More information on vaccines against invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b can be found on the following pages:

• 6-in-one vaccine
• Hib/MenC vaccine

Vaccine uptake statistics

Vaccine uptake statistics are published in the PHS Childhood Immunisation Statistics quarterly report and the PHS Vaccination Surveillance dashboard.

Measles

Background information

Measles is a rash illness resulting from infection with the measles virus. It can affect people of all ages but infants less than one year of age, pregnant women, and those who are immunocompromised are at increased risk of complications and death. Measles is spread through airborne transmission and respiratory droplets and is highly infectious. It is the most infectious of all diseases transmitted through the respiratory route. It is estimated that on average, there will be around 15 to 20 individuals infected from a single case in a totally susceptible population.

Before vaccination, measles was a very common childhood disease in Scotland and deaths attributable to measles were substantial.

Following the introduction of measles vaccine in 1968 and the subsequent introduction of the MMR vaccine in 1988, the incidence of the disease has decreased dramatically.

However, as Figure 4 shows, outbreaks have occurred in recent years. These outbreaks have largely occurred in under-immunised populations.

Figure 4 is a line chart showing the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of measles reported in Scotland by year from 1988 to March 2025 (week 13). The figure shows a sharp increase in the number of measles cases in 1994, when 536 cases were reported. The number of cases decreased to 23 in 1995 and has generally remained low since, with the exception of 2008 (when 54 cases were reported) and 2013 (when 51 cases were reported). There were no cases reported in 2015, 26 cases reported in 2016, five cases reported in 2017, and two cases reported in 2018. Eighteen cases were reported in 2019, no cases were reported in 2020 or 2021. One case was reported in 2022, and one in 2023. Twenty-four cases were reported in 2024. Twenty-three cases were reported in the first quarter of 2025. The graph is also annotated with important measles vaccination time points, with the MMR vaccine introduced in 1988, the measles/rubella campaign initiated in 1994, and the second dose of MMR added to the vaccine schedule in 1996.

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Figure 4: Number of laboratory-confirmed cases of measles in Scotland by year, 1988 to March 2025 (week 13)

Surveillance update for January to March 2025 (week 13)

There were 23 laboratory-confirmed measles cases reported in Scotland in the first quarter of 2025. In 2024, there were a total of 24 laboratory-confirmed measles cases reported in Scotland for the whole year.

In the first quarter of 2025, there were one or more laboratory-confirmed measles cases in the following Board areas: NHS Lanarkshire (n=16), NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (n=5), NHS Dumfries and Galloway (n=1), and NHS Ayrshire and Arran (n=1).

There were three known primary cases that led to three distinct chains of transmission and 15 epidemiologically linked cases in the first quarter of 2025 in Scotland. Of the three primary cases in the chains of transmission, two were imported to Scotland (related to travel outwith UK) and resulted in a further 12 import-related cases, and one was of unknown origin resulting in a further three cases.

Five cases were not known to be part of chains of transmission. Of these five cases, two were imported to Scotland (travel outwith UK) and three had unknown origin with no known epidemiological links or travel outwith Scotland.

In the first quarter of 2025, there were four imported cases from outwith the UK and these were related to travel to Dubai, India, Morocco, and Vietnam.

Fourteen individuals with laboratory-confirmed measles were completely unvaccinated, four had unknown or unconfirmed vaccination status, and three individuals were partially vaccinated. Two were fully vaccinated (classified as presumptive breakthrough cases) with infections that didn’t lead to any further cases. In highly vaccinated populations such as Scotland, it is rare but possible for individuals who have received two doses of MMR vaccine to develop symptoms following exposure to a measles case. However, symptoms are usually attenuated, and individuals are unlikely to be as infectious.

The importation of measles cases from outwith the UK and the subsequent onward transmission within unvaccinated communities presents an acute public health risk and highlights the importance of maintaining high MMR vaccine uptake in the population. Although childhood vaccination uptake for MMR vaccine is relatively high in Scotland (in 2024, 92.9% of children had the first dose MMR by 24 months and 88.7% had the second dose MMR by 5 years), uptake has been declining in recent years and there are under-vaccinated groups in the population that remain vulnerable to infection and outbreaks.  

Of the 23 confirmed measles cases in Scotland in the first quarter of 2025, three cases were admitted to hospital. There have been no deaths associated with measles cases in Scotland in the first quarter of 2025.

As shown in Figure 5, the number of cases each year has been variable. See ‘Vaccine-preventable disease summary’ for the number and incidence of measles in Scotland over the last six years. There were 24 laboratory-confirmed measles cases reported in 2024, one case in 2023, and one in 2022, prior to which there had been no cases since 2019. Weekly updates on measles case numbers in Scotland are currently available on the PHS website.

Figure 5 is a bar chart showing the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of measles reported in Scotland by month and year between 2015 to March 2025 (week 13). The graph shows that the number of measles cases fluctuates each year. In 2016, measles cases were reported throughout the year, with a peak in October. In 2017 and 2018, cases were reported during the spring and summer months. In 2019, cases were reported in February, in May through to August and October. No cases were reported in 2020 or in 2021. One case was reported in 2022, and one in 2023. In 2024, 24 cases were reported. Twenty-three cases were reported in the first quarter of 2025.

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Figure 5: Number of laboratory-confirmed cases of measles in Scotland by month and year, 2015 to March 2025 (week 13)

The age distribution of measles cases has varied over recent years, but most cases are observed in children and young adults.

Of the 23 cases reported in 2025:

• two cases were in the under 1 year age group
• six cases were in the one-to-four-year age group
• five cases were in the five-to-nine-year age group
• two cases were in the 10-to-14-year age group
• three cases were in the 20-to-29-year age group
• five cases were aged 30 years or older

Measles in Europe and the UK

Measles cases in England rapidly increased from late 2023, initially driven by a large outbreak in the West Midlands, with subsequent rises in London, and small clusters in other regions resulting in over 2,900 cases in 2024. Cases have followed a downward trajectory since mid-July 2024. Updates on the epidemiology of measles in England are published by UKHSA with provisional numbers of laboratory-confirmed cases in England updated monthly on the UKHSA measles dashboard.

Many countries in the WHO European Region reported a rise in laboratory-confirmed cases from late 2022 and throughout 2023, with cases remaining high into 2024. In February 2024, WHO Europe issued a press release highlighting the urgency of a swift and concerted response to measles outbreaks in the WHO European Region. In the same month, ECDC released a threat assessment brief on the rise in measles cases in EU/EEA, and considerations for public health response. Both highlight the critical importance of achieving and sustaining high MMR vaccine coverage.

In the most recent 12 months to March 2025 there were a total of 26,222 cases of measles reported to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control with a rate of 57.7 reported cases per million population for EU/EEA region (without UK). The EU/EEA countries with highest reported rates of cases for this period were Romania, Belgium, Ireland, Austria, and Cyprus with rates of 1134.6, 46.0, 45.7, 26.3, 20.6 per million population, respectively.  Reported cases for the EU/EEA region in the first quarter of 2025 are lower than in the first quarter of 2024.

Ongoing measles activity in Europe and globally poses a threat to international travellers and Scotland will continue to face an elevated risk of imported cases from other countries and other regions of the UK.

Vaccination information

More information on vaccines against measles can be found on the following page:

• MMR vaccine

Vaccine uptake statistics

Vaccine uptake statistics are published in our childhood immunisation statistics quarterly report and the PHS vaccination surveillance dashboard.

Meningococcal Disease

Background information

Meningococcal disease is an invasive infection of Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) bacteria in:

• blood
• cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
• other normally sterile sites

Meningococcal disease most commonly presents as meningitis (inflammation of the meninges) or septicaemia (blood poisoning). It can also present as a combination of both or as a rarer clinical presentation, such as joint infection. Meningococcal disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.

Although approximately 10% of the population are estimated to carry N. meningitidis in the nasopharynx, the vast majority do not have symptoms or develop invasive disease. Carriage is typically acquired through inhalation of, or direct contact with, respiratory droplets from either an infected person or an asymptomatic carrier. It is not fully understood why invasive disease develops in some individuals but not in others. Incidence of invasive disease is highest in children under five years of age, with a secondary peak in incidence in adolescents.

N. meningitidis is classified according to its outer membrane characteristics via a process known as serogrouping. There are several different serogroups, the most common of which in the UK is B, followed by W. Cases of serogroup Y, Z and C disease have also been reported.

In 1999, the Meningococcal Invasive Disease Augmented Surveillance (MIDAS) system was introduced. The surveillance scheme is managed jointly by Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Haemophilus Legionella Meningococcus and Pneumococcus Reference Laboratory (SHLMPRL).

Surveillance data from MIDAS informs the epidemiology of meningococcal disease in Scotland, as analyses can be conducted according to:

• age
• serogroup
• molecular typing
• clinical presentation
• outcome

Surveillance update for January to March 2025 (week 13)

There were 12 cases of meningococcal disease in the first quarter of 2025. This is higher than the number of cases for the same period in 2022, and 2021 (n=9 and n=2 respectively), but lower than for the same period in 2024, 2023, 2020 and 2019 (n=27, n=15, n=21 and n=21 respectively) as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 6 is a series of line graphs showing the cumulative number of meningococcal cases in Scotland per week, by year. Each line represents a different year from 2019 to the end of the first quarter of 2025. The number of cases reported in the first quarter of 2025 is higher than the number of cases in the same period in 2023, 2022 and 2021, but lower than those in the same period in 2024, 2020 and 2019.

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Figure 6: Cumulative number of meningococcal disease cases in Scotland, 2019 to 2025 (week 13)

Figure 7 shows the number of meningococcal disease cases, according to age group and by quarter from 2001 to the end of the first quarter of 2025 (week 13). In quarter one of 2025, there were:

• one case aged under five years
• four cases in the five to 24 years age group
• seven cases in those aged 25 years or over

Figure 7 is a series of line graphs showing the number of meningococcal cases in Scotland per quarter, by year. The data covers 2001 to the end of the first quarter of 2025. Each line on the graph represents number of cases for a specific age group, and there is a line for the total number of cases.

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Figure 7: Meningococcal disease cases in Scotland by age group and quarter, 2001 to 2025 (week 13)

Of the 12 cases of meningococcal disease reported in the first quarter of 2025:

• nine were serogroup B
• two were serogroup W
• one was serogroup Y, as shown in Figure 8

Figure 8 is a bar chart showing the number of meningococcal cases in Scotland by serogroup, from 2005 to the end of the first quarter of 2025. Since 2012, most laboratory-confirmed cases have been serogroup B.

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Figure 8: Meningococcal disease cases reported in Scotland by serogroup, 2005 to 2025 (week 13)

Since 2015, the MenACWY vaccine has been offered to teenagers, and first-time university entrants aged under 25 years old to provide protection against meningococcal disease caused by serogroups A, C, W and Y. This vaccination programme was introduced in response to an increase in severe invasive disease with high rates of intensive care admissions and fatalities among older children and young adults caused by serogroup W infections observed from 2009 in the UK more widely. Serogroup W cases increased in Scotland from 2014, peaking in 2016. Figure 9 demonstrates a positive impact of the MenACWY vaccine for the eligible population in Scotland – serogroup W cases declined in the 15 to 24 years age group following the introduction of the programme. Two serogroup W cases were reported in the first quarter of 2025.

Figure 9 is a series of line graphs showing the number of serogroup W cases in Scotland from 2009 to the end of the first quarter of 2025, by age group. From 2014 to 2016 there was an increase in cases of serogroup W disease. The graphs demonstrate the impact of the introduction of MenACWY programme in 2015.

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Figure 9: Meningococcal serogroup W by age group reported in Scotland 2009 to 2025 (week 13)

The number of deaths between 2004 and the end of the first quarter of 2024, reported by serogroup, is shown in Figure 10. There was one death in the first quarter of 2025, attributed to serogroup B disease.  

See vaccine-preventable disease summary for the number and incidence of invasive meningococcal disease in Scotland over the last six years.

Figure 10 is a bar chart showing the number of deaths from meningococcal disease reported in Scotland by serogroup, from 2005 to the end of the first quarter of 2025.

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Figure 10: Meningococcal deaths by serotype reported in Scotland 2005 to 2025 (week 13)

Vaccination information

More information on vaccines against meningococcal disease can be found on the following pages:

• MenB vaccine
• Hib/MenC vaccine
• MenACWY vaccine

Vaccine uptake statistics

Vaccine uptake statistics are published in our Childhood Immunisation Statistics quarterly report and the PHS Vaccination Surveillance dashboard. Vaccine uptake statistics for the teenage MenACWY vaccine for school year 2023/2024 can be found at: Teenage Td/IPV and MenACWY Immunisation Statistics Scotland.

Mumps

Background information

Mumps is a disease resulting from infection by the mumps virus.

It was a common childhood disease prior to the introduction of the MMR vaccine in 1988, with more than 85% of adults having evidence of previous infection at that time.

The rate of disease has decreased substantially following the introduction of the vaccine. However, there have been periodic increases in the number of laboratory-confirmed cases in the UK.

Cases of mumps can be confirmed by laboratory testing. However, many cases of mumps may be diagnosed clinically, with no laboratory confirmatory testing, or go undiagnosed since individuals may not present to healthcare. Therefore, the reliance on laboratory reports may represent an underestimate of the true burden of disease in the community.

For more information on mumps, visit NHS Inform.

Surveillance update for January to March 2025 (week 13)

There were six cases of laboratory-confirmed mumps reported in the first quarter of 2025.

Since April 2020, there has been a substantial reduction in number of cases of mumps reported. As shown in Figure 11, outbreaks occurred in:

• 2004/2005
• 2009
• 2012
• 2014 to 2015
• 2019 to early 2020

An increase in laboratory-confirmed mumps was observed in late 2019 and early 2020, primarily in adolescents and young adults. There was a sharp decrease in reported cases from April 2020, a result of measures and restrictions implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which also interrupted the transmission of mumps.

Figure 11 is a line chart showing the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of mumps by year from 2000 to the end of March 2025 (week 13). The figure shows an outbreak which started in 2004 and peaked in 2005 with 1,892 and 2,586 cases, respectively. While the number of cases decreased since 2005, smaller outbreaks have occurred since in 2009, 2012, 2014 to 2015, and 2019 to early 2020. The graph shows a total of 784 laboratory-confirmed cases of mumps reported in 2019, 864 from January to December 2020, and only one laboratory-confirmed case in 2021. There were 12 cases of laboratory-confirmed cases reported in 2024, and six laboratory-confirmed cases reported in the first quarter of 2025.

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Figure 11: Number of laboratory-confirmed cases of mumps in Scotland by year, 2000 to March 2025 (week 13)

See Vaccine preventable disease summary for the number and incidence of mumps in Scotland over the last six years.

Figure 12 is a bar chart showing the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of mumps by month and year from 2015 to March 2025 (week 13). The graph shows recurring peaks in the number of mumps cases reported by month, with the highest peaks occurring in June 2015 (142 cases), November 2017 (122 cases), April 2019 (119 cases) and December 2019 (109). The chart shows a sharp rise in cases at the beginning of 2020; showing 316 cases in January, 343 in February and 194 in March. However, following this, the number of cases fell to zero from June to November 2020, with a single case in December 2020. Only one case was reported in 2021, seven cases in 2022 and 16 cases in 2023. There were twelve laboratory-confirmed cases reported in 2024 and six laboratory-confirmed cases in the first quarter of 2025.

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Figure 12: Number of laboratory-confirmed cases of mumps in Scotland by month and year, 2015 to March 2025 (week 13)

Age distribution of cases

Figure 13 shows that most laboratory-confirmed mumps cases in recent years have been in those aged 17 to 34 years. However, in 2024, nine of the 12 cases were in the 35 years and over age group. In the first quarter of 2025, three of the six cases were in the 35 years and over age group.

Although the vaccination status of cases is not routinely collected, this is consistent with the age groups that are likely to be under-immunised with a mumps-containing vaccine.

Figure 13 is a bar chart showing the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of mumps by age group and year from 2015 to March 2025 (week 13). In 2024, most cases were in the 35 years and over age group. In the first quarter of 2025, three of the six cases were in the 35 years and over age group. In most previous years, whilst the overall number of cases varies by year, the majority of mumps cases have occurred in individuals aged 17 to 34 years.

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Figure 13: Number of laboratory-confirmed cases of mumps in Scotland by age group and year, 2015 to March 2025 (week 13)

The incidence of mumps in 2020 (the most recent year with high numbers), by age group, shown in Figure 14, reflects a higher incidence among individuals aged 17 to 20 years compared to other age groups (130.0 cases per 100,000 population). This was followed by those aged 21 to 24 years (92.2 cases per 100,000 population).

Figure 14 is a bar chart and shows the incidence per 100,000 population of laboratory-confirmed cases of mumps by age group between 01 January and 30 December 2020. The incidence of mumps was highest among individuals aged 17 to 20 years, at 130.0 cases per 100,000 population. This was followed by those aged 21 to 24 years, at 92.2 cases per 100,000 population. Data from 2021 to 2024 are not presented due to the low number/absence of cases.

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Figure 14: Incidence of laboratory-confirmed cases of mumps in Scotland, by age group, 2020*

*There is insufficient data from 2021 to 2024 to represent the ages of cases, therefore 2020 data have been presented to reflect the age distribution of cases, which are similar to that seen in previous years.

Vaccination information

More information on vaccines against mumps can be found on the following page:

• MMR vaccine

Vaccine uptake statistics

Vaccine uptake statistics are published in the PHS Childhood Immunisation Statistics quarterly report and the PHS Vaccination Surveillance dashboard.

Pertussis

Background information

Pertussis (or whooping cough) is an acute bacterial disease of the respiratory tract, resulting from infection with Bordetella pertussis.

It can affect people of all ages. Unimmunised infants are more likely to develop complications from pertussis infection which can require hospital treatment and, in severe cases, can be fatal. It is often less severe in adolescents and adults, however they may suffer a prolonged cough.

In response to the increase in cases and to protect young infants in the first few weeks of life until they start the routine childhood immunisation programme at eight weeks, a programme was introduced in October 2012 to offer pertussis vaccination to all pregnant women.

Pregnant women are typically vaccinated between gestational weeks 16 and 32 to protect newborn babies from disease before they are old enough to receive their first immunisation at eight weeks. Antibodies that protect against disease, produced by the vaccinated mother, can cross the placenta to protect the baby. Women may still be immunised after week 32 of pregnancy but this may not offer as high a level of passive immunological protection to the baby. Vaccination late in pregnancy may, however, directly protect the mother against disease and thereby reduce the risk of exposure to her infant. As pertussis continues to circulate in Scotland, immunisation of pregnant women and young children is vital.

The immunity that young infants receive from their mother, although very important in the first few weeks of life, offers only short-term protection. Therefore, it is important that infants are vaccinated as part of the routine childhood schedule on time to provide longer-term protection.

For more information on pertussis, visit NHS inform.

Surveillance update for January to March 2025 (week 13)

There were 81 laboratory-confirmed cases of pertussis reported in the first quarter of 2025. Case numbers in the first quarter of 2025 were over ten-fold lower than in the same quarter for 2024. Scotland experienced a very high number of pertussis cases in 2024. Case numbers increased from late 2023, peaked in June 2024, and subsequently declined over several months (see Figure 15). In 2023, there were 73 laboratory-confirmed cases, the majority of which (n=56) were reported in the final quarter of the year. The total number of laboratory-confirmed pertussis cases in 2024 was 7,051: there were 1,083 laboratory-confirmed cases in the first quarter of 2024, 3,765 cases in the second quarter, 1,890 cases in the third quarter and 313 cases in the fourth quarter. As part of the outbreak response, monthly epidemiological reports on pertussis case numbers were published from July to November 2024.

Prior to this, the last significant outbreaks in Scotland occurred in 2012 and 2013, with 1,896 and 1,188 laboratory-confirmed cases per year, respectively. There was also increased pertussis activity in 2016, with 1,075 laboratory-confirmed cases that year.

There was a reduction in laboratory-confirmed pertussis cases over the COVID-19 pandemic period with 198 in 2020, the majority of which occurred in the first quarter of the year, and four and three cases in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Figure 15 is a bar chart showing the number of laboratory-confirmed Bordetella pertussis cases by month from 2012 through to March 2025 (week 13). The figure shows the outbreak that occurred in 2012 into 2013 with 1,896 and 1,188 reports, respectively, as well as an increase in activity that occurred in 2016 (1,075 reports). From the first quarter of 2020, cases drop to very low numbers with only four cases reported in 2021 and three cases reported in 2022. Pertussis activity has been increasing since late 2023. There were 73 cases reported in 2023, most of which were in the last quarter of the year. In 2024, there were 1,083 laboratory-confirmed cases in the first quarter, 3,765 cases in the second quarter, 1,890 cases in the third quarter and 313 cases in the fourth quarter. There were 81 laboratory-confirmed cases in the first quarter of 2025.

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Figure 15: Number of laboratory-confirmed Bordetella pertussis cases in Scotland, by month, 2012 to March 2025 (week 13)

Age breakdown of cases

Figure 16 shows the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of pertussis by age group, from January to March 2025 (week 13). The 60-to-69-year age group accounted for the highest number of laboratory-confirmed cases in the first quarter of 2025 (n=16), and 82.7% (n=67) of cases were aged 15 years and over. Figure 17 shows the annual incidence of pertussis by age group: the highest incidence of infection in 2024 was observed in the under one year age group, as in previous years (2017 to 2023), with 441.6 cases per 100,000 population. The second highest incidence rate in 2024 was observed in the 10 to 14 years age group with 398.3 cases per 100,000 population.  

Figure 18 shows the percentage of cases of pertussis by age group and year from 2012 to 2025 (week 13). Case numbers in 2021 and 2022 were low, and age distribution for those years should be interpreted in that context. Data for 2024 show that the relative proportions of cases in children aged five to nine years and 10 to 14 years were higher than that in recent pre-COVID-19 pandemic years.

Figure 16 is a bar chart showing the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of Bordetella pertussis by age group for the first quarter of 2025. The graph shows that the highest number of cases were in the 60 to 69 year age group.

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Figure 16: Number of laboratory-confirmed Bordetella pertussis cases in Scotland by age group, January to March 2025 (week 13)

Figure 17 is a bar chart showing the incidence of laboratory-confirmed Bordetella pertussis cases per 100,000 population by age groups from under 1 years to over 70 years between 2017 and December 2024 (week 13). Across all years (2017 to 2024), incidence is highest in the under 1 year age group. In 2024 the second highest incidence rate is in the ten to 14 years age group.

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Figure 17: Incidence of laboratory-confirmed Bordetella pertussis cases per 100,000 population in Scotland by age group, 2017 to December 2024 (week 13)*

*Incidence rates for 2024 use the mid-year population estimates for 2023.

Figure 18 is a stacked bar chart that shows the percentage of laboratory reports of pertussis by age group and year from 2012 through to March 2025 (week 13). The chart shows that in the 2024, children aged ten to 14 years accounted for the largest proportion of cases. In the first quarter of 2025, the 60-to-69-year age group accounted for the largest proportion of cases.

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Figure 18: Percentage of laboratory-confirmed cases Bordetella pertussis in Scotland by age group and year, 2012 to March 2025 (week 13)

Laboratory-confirmed cases by NHS Health Board

In the first quarter of 2025, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lothian and NHS Lanarkshire had the greatest number of laboratory-confirmed pertussis cases, as shown in Figure 19. Data presented in Figure 20 shows that NHS Orkney, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and NHS Highland had the highest incidence in the first quarter of 2025, with 13.6, 2.5, and 2.5 cases per 100,000 population, respectively (however noting that case numbers are low in NHS Orkney).

Figure 19 is a bar chart that shows the number of laboratory reports of Bordetella pertussis in Scotland, by NHS Health Board for the first quarter of 2025. The chart shows that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lothian and NHS Lanarkshire had the highest number of cases.

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Figure 19: Number of laboratory reports of Bordetella pertussis in Scotland by NHS Health Board, January to March 2025 (week 13)

Figure 20 is a bar chart showing the incidence of laboratory-confirmed pertussis in Scotland by NHS Health Board for 2024. The chart shows that NHS Orkney, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and NHS Highland had the highest incidence rates in that period.

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Figure 20: Incidence of laboratory-confirmed Bordetella pertussis cases in Scotland, by NHS Health Board, January to March 2025 (week 13)

Pertussis in Europe and UK

England also experienced a very high number of laboratory-confirmed cases of pertussis in 2024: provisionally there were 14,894 laboratory-confirmed cases of pertussis reported to the UKHSA between January and December 2024. The number of reported laboratory-confirmed cases peaked in England in May 2024 (3,034).

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) published a risk assessment in May 2024 regarding an increase of pertussis cases in the EU/EEA. In 2023, more than 25,000 cases of pertussis were reported, and more than 32,000 cases were reported between January and March 2024. 

Vaccination information

More information on vaccines against pertussis can be found on the following pages:

• Pertussis (maternal)
• 6-in-one vaccine
• 4-in-one vaccine

Vaccine uptake statistics

Childhood vaccine uptake statistics are published in the PHS Childhood Immunisation Statistics quarterly report and on the PHS Vaccination Surveillance dashboard. Pertussis vaccination in pregnancy statistics are published on the PHS Vaccination Surveillance dashboard.

Invasive pneumococcal disease

Background information

Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is caused by infection of normally sterile sites, for example blood, causing septicaemia, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) causing meningitis. Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is the bacterium responsible for causing invasive pneumococcal infection and is characterised by its outer coat, known as capsular polysaccharide. Different capsular types can be distinguished by serotyping. Over 90 different types of pneumococci have been identified, about a quarter of which are known to cause serious illness.

IPD is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially amongst:

• the very young
• the elderly
• those with impaired immunity.

As with most infectious respiratory diseases, the numbers of cases of pneumococcal infection peak during winter. Up to 50% of people can carry pneumococci in their nose and throat without developing serious infection.

For further information on pneumococcal disease, visit NHS inform.

IPD surveillance is based on local and reference laboratory reports confirming isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae from sterile body sites, mainly blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

In 1999, the Scottish Pneumococcal Invasive Disease Enhanced Reporting (SPIDER) scheme was introduced. The enhanced surveillance scheme is jointly managed by Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Haemophilus, Legionella, Meningococcus and Pneumococcus Reference Laboratory (SHLMPRL).

Data from SPIDER informs understanding of the epidemiology of IPD in Scotland.

Surveillance update January to March 2025 (week 13)

There were 143 cases of IPD reported in the first quarter of 2025. This is higher than the number of cases for the same period of 2023, 2022 and 2021 (n=130, n=83 and n=42 respectively), but lower than the number of cases for the same period of 2024, 2020 and 2019 (n=167, n=149 and n=233 respectively), as shown in Figure 21.

Figure 21 is a series of line graphs showing the cumulative number of invasive pneumococcal disease cases in Scotland per week by year. Each line represents a different year from 2019 to the end of the first quarter of 2025. The graphs show that case numbers for the first quarter of 2025 are higher than the number of cases for the same period of 2023, 2022 and 2021, but lower than for the same period of 2024, 2020 and 2019.

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Figure 21: Cumulative number of invasive pneumococcal disease cases in Scotland, 2019 to 2025 (week 13)

Figure 22 presents data on cases by age group and indicates that the burden of IPD is in adults over 35 years. In the first quarter of 2025:

• 80 cases (55.9%) were aged 65 years or older
• 46 cases (32.2%) were aged 35 to 64 years
• 10 cases (7.0%) were aged 15 to 34 years
• One case (0.7%) was aged five to 15 years
• Six cases (4.2%) were aged under five years

Figure 22 is a series of line graphs showing the number of invasive pneumococcal disease cases in Scotland per quarter by year from 2004 to the end of the first quarter of 2025. Each line represents number of cases for each age group. The graphs show that most cases were observed in those aged 35 years and over.

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Figure 22: Cases of IPD in Scotland by quarter and by age group, 2004 to 2025 (week 13)

IPD in children under five years old

Of the 143 IPD cases reported in the first quarter of 2025, six were children under five years of age. This is higher than the number of cases for the same period in 2021 (n=5), but lower than the number of cases for the same period in 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020 and 2019 (n=15, n=15, n=17, n=8 and n=14 respectively). Serotypes detected among children aged under five years in the first quarter of 2025 are shown in Table 1.

*Typing results not available

Circulating serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Serotyping results were available for 113 of the 143 cases in quarter one 2025. This accounts for 79.0% of cases. The four most common serotypes reported were:

• Serotype 3 (27 cases)
• Serotype 22F (12 cases)
• Serotype 9N (9 cases)
• Serotype 15A (9 cases)

​ A total of 38 cases, or 33.6% of those with available typing results, were caused by serotypes covered by the PCV13 vaccine.​

For the most recent information on antimicrobial resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae, see Scottish One Health Antimicrobial Use and Antimicrobial Resistance in 2023.

Vaccination information

More information on vaccines against pneumococcal disease can be found on the following pages:

• PPV23 pneumococcal vaccine
• PCV13 pneumococcal vaccine

Vaccine uptake statistics

Vaccine uptake statistics for PCV13 are published in the PHS Childhood Immunisation Statistics quarterly report and on the PHS Vaccination Surveillance dashboard. Vaccine uptake statistics for PPV23 are published in the PHS Vaccination Surveillance Dashboard.

Poliomyelitis

Background information

Poliomyelitis (polio) is an acute viral illness caused by one of the three serotypes of poliovirus. Most infections are mild or cause no symptoms but in a small number of people polio can result in a potentially life-threatening infection that can cause temporary or permanent paralysis. Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) / acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a rare but serious set of symptoms that affects the nervous system and can be caused by both poliovirus and other non-polio viruses such as enteroviruses. People may become infected with the poliovirus through contact with infected faecal matter or respiratory secretions. For more information on polio see NHS inform.

Poliovirus is targeted by the World Health Organization (WHO) for eradication and due to the efforts of countries worldwide, two of the three wild poliovirus types (type 2 and type 3) have been eradicated. In April 2025, the WHO Emergency Committee on the international spread of poliovirus determined that while global transmission of wild poliovirus type 1 was geographically limited to Pakistan and Afghanistan, there was intensifying transmission and geographical spread within these countries. The committee also noted the ongoing risk of vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) transmission. A full list of countries currently reporting circulating VDPD is available from the Polio Global Eradication Initiative. The WHO Emergency Committee unanimously agreed that the risk of international spread of poliovirus continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Towards the end of 2024, vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV-2) was detected in wastewater samples in Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain, and England, see Eurosurveillance | Detection of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in wastewater samples: a wake-up call, Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, 2024 and HPR volume 18 issue 11: news (10 December) - GOV.UK. This is separate to the detections of genetically-linked VDPV-2 detected in samples from London sewage works in 2022 (Poliovirus detected in sewage from North and East London - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)).

There have been no associated cases of paralysis or human infections of poliovirus reported in the UK.

Surveillance

Following the introduction of the first vaccine in the UK in 1956, the number of cases fell rapidly:

• the last UK case of poliomyelitis caused by wild polio virus was in 1984.
• the last imported case of polio in the UK was 1993.

Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance

Public Health Scotland conducts enhanced surveillance of AFP.

View further information on AFP and AFP surveillance forms.

Wastewater surveillance

Wastewater surveillance for poliovirus was established in Scotland in 2014 and extended to cover more sampling sites in 2022, following detections of related VDPV-2 in London sewage. Samples from 10 sites across Scotland are tested each month. The catchments of the sampling sites cover approximately 50% of the Scottish population. There have been no poliovirus detections since wastewater surveillance was extended during the period of high activity in London. It is normal for occasional and sporadic ‘vaccine-like’ polioviruses to be detected each year in UK sewage samples. In recent years, these have all been single detections, unrelated to each other, usually when an individual vaccinated overseas with the live oral polio vaccine (OPV) travels to the UK. While the UK stopped using live vaccine in 2004, several countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria continue to use OPV for outbreak control.

Vaccination Information

More information on vaccines against polio can be found on the following pages:

• 6-in-one vaccine
• 4-in-one vaccine
• 3-in-one vaccine

Vaccine uptake statistics

Vaccine uptake statistics for children are published in Teenage Td/IPV and MenACWY Immunisation Statistics Scotland, Childhood Immunisation Statistics quarterly report and the PHS Vaccination Surveillance dashboard.

Rotavirus

Background information

Rotavirus infections in children and adults can last approximately three to eight days and symptoms include:

• severe diarrhoea
• vomiting
• stomach cramps
• mild fever

The combination of symptoms can lead to dehydration, requiring admission to hospital, especially in young infants.

Rotavirus is highly infectious and a leading cause of gastroenteritis in children worldwide. In Scotland, most children will have had at least one rotavirus infection by age five years.

Prior to the implementation of the rotavirus vaccination programme in 2013, rotavirus reports peaked annually between February and April.

For further information on gastroenteritis, visit NHS inform.

Surveillance update January to March 2025 (week 13)

Figure 23 shows the number of laboratory-confirmed rotavirus cases in Scotland from 2011 to the end of March 2025 (week 13). There were 145 laboratory-confirmed cases in the first quarter of 2025. This is an increase compared to the same period in 2024 and 2023 when there were 114 and 85 laboratory-confirmed cases respectively.

Following the introduction of the immunisation programme, there was a marked reduction in the number of laboratory reports, which clearly demonstrates the impact of the vaccine.

See vaccine-preventable disease summary for the number and incidence of rotavirus laboratory reports in Scotland over the last six years.

Figure 23 is a line graph which presents the number of rotavirus laboratory reports in Scotland by month and year from 2011 to March 2025 (week 13). There has been a marked reduction in the number of laboratory reports following introduction of the rotavirus vaccine.

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Figure 23: Laboratory reports of rotavirus in Scotland from 2011 to March 2025 (week 13)

More detailed information on the epidemiology of rotavirus in Scotland can be found in the Gastrointestinal and Zoonoses Biennial Report 2022-2023.

Vaccination information

More information on the rotavirus vaccine can be found on the following page:

• rotavirus vaccine

Vaccine uptake statistics

Vaccine uptake statistics are published in our Childhood Immunisation Statistics quarterly report and the PHS Vaccination Surveillance dashboard.

Rubella

Background information

Rubella is a rash illness caused by the rubella virus. It's generally a mild illness, but if acquired by women in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy, it can have devastating effects on the unborn child, leading to Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS). The virus can affect all foetal organs and lead to serious birth defects such as learning difficulties, cataracts, deafness, cardiac abnormalities, restriction of intrauterine growth and inflammatory lesions of the brain, liver, lungs and bone marrow.

Before the introduction of rubella vaccination, more than 80% of adults had evidence of previous exposure to rubella.

A vaccination programme targeting girls and non-immune women of childbearing age was introduced in the UK in 1970 and reduced the number of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS)-related births and terminations.

In 1988, the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine was introduced for both boys and girls and further decreased cases of rubella to near elimination levels (Figure 24).

In 2016, the decision was made to end the national policy of screening for rubella susceptibility in pregnancy. This followed a review of evidence by the UK National Screening Committee and considered the high levels of uptake of the MMR vaccine.

The WHO confirmed that the UK achieved elimination status for rubella in 2016. Elimination status is assessed on an annual basis.

For more information on rubella see NHS inform.

Surveillance update January to March 2025 (week 13)

No laboratory-confirmed cases of rubella were reported in the first quarter of 2025. The last reported case of laboratory-confirmed rubella in Scotland was reported in 2017.

Figure 24 is a line chart showing the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of rubella reported in Scotland by year from 1988 through to March 2025 (week 13). The figure shows that the number of cases of rubella fluctuated each year between 1988 and 1995. The number of cases peaked in 1996 at 766 but decreased dramatically in 1997 before increasing slightly to 47 cases in 1999. Since 1999, the number of cases has been low and stable. No laboratory-confirmed cases of rubella have been reported in Scotland since 2017, when one case was reported. The graph is also annotated with relevant time points in rubella vaccination, with the MMR vaccine introduced in 1988, the measles/rubella campaign initiated in 1994, and the second dose of MMR added to the vaccine schedule in 1996.

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Figure 24: Number of laboratory-confirmed cases of rubella in Scotland by year, 1988 to March 2025 (week 13)

Congenital rubella surveillance

Information about congenital rubella surveillance can be viewed on the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) website.

Vaccination Information

More information on vaccines against rubella can be found on the following page:

• MMR vaccine

Vaccine uptake statistics

Vaccine uptake statistics are published in our Childhood Immunisation Statistics quarterly report and on the PHS Vaccination Surveillance dashboard.

Shingles

Background information

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is caused by reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus. Varicella zoster is the same virus that causes chickenpox.

Shingles is characterised by a painful skin rash. The main complication from shingles is post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), a long-lasting neuropathic pain after the rash has disappeared.

PHN can persist for months or years and the risk and severity increases with age. Its effect can be very debilitating.

The shingles vaccine can reduce the risk of getting shingles and the risk of complications. Further information about eligibility and getting the shingles vaccine is available on NHS inform and from the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland letter on shingles vaccination.

Shingles surveillance data

Shingles is not a notifiable disease, so the number of hospital admissions for shingles and related complications are used to estimate the burden of shingles.

Figure 25 shows the rate of admissions per 100,000 population for shingles and related complications by age group between 2010 and 2022.

This graph shows that the rate of admissions is higher among the older age groups, which is why older age groups are offered shingles vaccine.

Figure 25 is a line graph which shows the rate of hospital admissions per 100,000 population for shingles and related complications by age group between 2010 and 2022. This graph shows that the rate of admissions increases with increasing age.

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Figure 25 Rate of hospital admissions per 100,000 population for shingles and related complications in Scotland, by age group and year, 2010 to 2022

Vaccination information

More information on shingles vaccination can be found on the following page:

• shingles immunisation

Vaccine uptake statistics

Shingles vaccine uptake statistics are published on the PHS Vaccination Surveillance Dashboard.

Vaccine-preventable disease summary

Contact

General enquiries

If you have an enquiry relating to this publication, please contact Laura MacDonald at phs.immunisation@phs.scot.

Further information

Statistical designation

This is an Official Statistics publication

Public Health Scotland has authority to produce official statistics on any matter in accordance with The Official Statistics (Scotland) Order 2008, The Official Statistics (Scotland) Amendment Order 2019 and the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007.

All official statistics should comply with the UK Statistics Authority’s Code of Practice which promotes the production and dissemination of official statistics that inform decision making. They can be formally assessed by the UK Statistics Authority’s regulatory arm for Accredited official statistics status.

Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to. You are welcome to contact us directly with any comments about how we meet these standards.

Alternatively, you can contact OSR by emailing regulation@statistics.gov.uk or through the OSR website.

Visit the UK Statistics Authority website for more information about the Code of Practice and Official Statistics.

Visit our website for further information about our statistics and PHS as an Official Statistics producer.

Pre-release access

Under terms of the 'Pre-Release Access to Official Statistics (Scotland) Order 2008', PHS is obliged to publish information on those receiving Pre-Release Access ('Pre-Release Access' refers to statistics in their final form prior to publication). The standard maximum Pre-Release Access is five working days.

Shown below are details of those receiving standard Pre-Release Access.

Standard pre-release access:

• Scottish Government Health Department
• NHS Board Chief Executives
• NHS Board Communication leads

About Public Health Scotland (PHS)

PHS is a knowledge-based and intelligence driven organisation with a critical reliance on data and information to enable it to be an independent voice for the public’s health, leading collaboratively and effectively across the Scottish public health system, accountable at local and national levels, and providing leadership and focus for achieving better health and wellbeing outcomes for the population.

Our statistics comply with the Code of Practice for Statistics in terms of trustworthiness, high quality and public value. This also means that we keep data secure at all stages, through collection, processing, analysis and output production, and adhere to the Office for National Statistics ‘Five Safes’ of data privacy.​

Metadata

The metadata for this document has been split into sections as there are some differences between the diseases.