An error has been noted in the text in the pertussis (whooping cough) section of this report concerning 2017 data. The error was in the text only and did not affect the underlying data or any of the published figures. All publications affected are in the process of being updated.

An error has been noted in the vaccine preventable diseases summary table for 2022 measles data in this report.  This error affects this table only. Correct data and figures were reported in the surveillance update for measles. All publications affected are in the process of being updated.

Vaccine-preventable disease

As a result of measures and restrictions implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic most vaccine preventable diseases under surveillance in this report showed a notable reduction from the second quarter of 2020. Case numbers for some vaccine preventable diseases have been increasing in 2023, and invasive Haemophilus influenzae case numbers are higher than those reported in recent years. This is being closely monitored by PHS.

Invasive bacterial diseases

To the end of the third quarter of 2023, case numbers for invasive pneumococcal disease were higher than case numbers for the equivalent periods in 2022, 2021 and 2020, but lower than those for the same period of 2019. Case numbers for meningococcal disease were higher than those for the equivalent period in 2022, 2021 and 2020, but lower than 2019. Case numbers for invasive Haemophilus influenzae to the end of the third quarter of 2023 are higher than for the equivalent period in the previous four years.

There were 321 invasive pneumococcal disease cases reported to the end of the third quarter of 2023, compared with 429 cases in the same period of 2019, 222 cases in 2020, 181 in 2021 and 233 in 2022.

There were 38 cases of meningococcal disease reported to the end of the third quarter of 2023, compared with 43 in the same period of 2019, 28 in 2020, 8 in 2021 and 19 in 2022.

There were 76 cases of invasive Haemophilus influenzae reported to the end of the third quarter of 2023, compared with 52 in the same period in 2019, 42 in 2020, 18 in 2021 and 47 in 2022. This is being closely monitored.

Measles, mumps and rubella

There were no cases of measles reported to the end of the third quarter of 2023. In 2022, there was one case of measles reported which was imported from outwith the UK and was the first case reported in Scotland since 2019.

There were 14 cases of laboratory-confirmed mumps reported to the end of September 2023, nine of which were reported between January and March. There were seven laboratory-confirmed cases of mumps reported 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.

Pertussis

There were no cases of laboratory-confirmed pertussis in the first quarter of 2023, three cases reported in the second quarter, and 14 cases in quarter three, bringing the total number of cases to the end of September to 17. In 2022 and 2021, there were three and four cases of pertussis reported, respectively. This is a considerable decline from the 198 cases reported in 2020 and 746 cases reported in 2019.