Immunisation and vaccine-preventable diseases quarterly report
October to December 2020 (Q4)
An Experimental Statistics publication for Scotland
- Published
- 09 March 2021
- 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 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 is lower than for the equivalent period of the previous four years.
- No cases of measles were reported in 2020, however on-going measles activity in Europe and globally and continues to pose a threat to international travellers and Scotland as global travel restrictions are relaxed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The number of mumps cases reported in 2020 was 853, which exceeded the 784 cases reported in 2019. Cases continue to be highest in individuals between the ages of 17 and 34 years. 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 notable reduction in mumps cases has been observed since March to the end of the year, with majority of cases occurring in the first two months of 2020. The trend has continued, with only 11 cases reported between April and December 2020. The declining 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.
- The COVID-19 restrictions on movement within and outwith Scotland is likely to have reduced the circulation of other vaccine-preventable diseases.
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.