Page last updated: 25-SEP-2007

Immunisations


Statistical Publication Notice

25 September 2007

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Childhood immunisation uptake rates, quarter ending 30 June 2007   


INTRODUCTION

Children in Scotland are protected through immunisation against many serious infectious diseases. Vaccination programmes aim both to protect the individual and to prevent the spread of these illnesses within the population. As a public health measure, immunisations have been hugely effective in reducing the burden of disease. It is of public health concern when immunisation rates fall, as this increases the possibility of disease transmission, and hence complications arising from outbreaks of infectious diseases.
 
The national target for immunisation uptake is 95% among children by 24 months of age for completed courses of each of the primary immunisation programmes: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, haemophilus influenzae type b (hib), and MenC.  MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine uptake is monitored at 24 months and at 5 years.  In addition a national target of 95% uptake of one dose of MMR (MMR1) by 5 years of age was introduced in 2006, to focus efforts to reduce the number of susceptibles entering primary school.  This is in line with World Health Organisation targets. 
Childhood immunisation uptake rates for Scotland are monitored and published quarterly.  The current release includes data to 30 June 2007.

KEY POINTS

In Scotland as a whole the 95% target for immunisation of 2 year olds is being met and exceeded for all primary immunisations apart from MMR.  For the second quarter of 2007, the uptake of the first dose of MMR (MMR1) for 2 year olds and 5 year olds remained at 92.3% and 94.4% respectively.

INTERPRETATION

In Scotland uptake rates for the pre-school booster vaccines (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio, and the second dose of MMR (MMR2)), have historically been reported at 6 years of age.  In line with figures for the rest of the UK, from quarter ending December 2006, uptake rates for these vaccines are now reported at age 5.  For trend purposes, reporting at 6 years of age will continue to be presented.
For details of Scotland's routine childhood immunisation timetable see Immunisation Schedule .

DETAILED FINDINGS

For the quarter ending 30 June 2007:
  1. At Scotland level, quarterly uptake rates at 12 months of age for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hib and MenC remain above 95%. 
  2. At Scotland level, quarterly uptake rates at 24 months of age for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, Hib and MenC have remained relatively stable at around  98%. 
  3. Uptake of one dose of MMR (MMR1) at 24 months for children born in the 2nd quarter of 2005 is 92.3%.  This is the same as the previous quarter (children born 1st quarter of 2005).
  4. There is variation in uptake of the first dose of MMR (MMR1) at 24 months (born 1st quarter of 2005) across NHS Boards ranging from 90.2% in Highland to 95.5% in Dumfries & Galloway (excluding Island Boards).
  5. Uptake of one dose of MMR (MMR1) at 5 years for children born in the 2nd quarter of 2002 is 94.4%, just below the World Health Organisation target of 95%.  At 24 months the reported uptake for this cohort of children was 88.0% showing that a significant number of children are immunised beyond the standard age.
  6. Uptake of the second dose of MMR (MMR2) at 5 years for children born in the 2nd quarter of 2002 is 79.0%.  This is a decrease of 3.8 percentage points from the previous quarter when the rate was 82.8% (children born 1st quarter of 2002).
  7. Uptake of MMR2 at 6 years for children born in the 2nd quarter of 2001 is 89.7%, up 1.0 percentage points from the previous quarter when the rate was 88.7% (children born 1st quarter of 2001).

OTHER INFORMATION

Changes to the routine childhood immunisation schedule were introduced on 4 September 2006.  Prior to September 2006, children required 3 doses of MenC as part of their course of primary immunisations.  Under the new schedule, children require 2 doses of MenC before the age of 12 months, followed by the Hib/MenC booster after the age of 12 months.  Therefore, from the quarter ending 30 September 2006, the calculation of uptake rates for MenC has been amended to reflect the change in the number of doses required for a complete course of MenC (2 doses under 12 months).  Uptake rates for the Hib/MenC booster will be published for the first time in the autumn of 2007.

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MAIN CONTACTS:

Judith Tait
Child Health Information Team Leader
Tel: 0131 275 6833
Judith.Tait@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk

Dr Jim Chalmers
(Consultant in Public Health Medicine)
Head of Programme
Women & Children's Health Information Programme
Tel: 0131 275 6136
Jim.Chalmers@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk
 
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GLOSSARY:

MMR - Measles, Mumps, Rubella
Pertussis - Whooping cough
Hib - Haemophilus influenzae type b
MenC - Meningitis C

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PRE-RELEASE ACCESS TO THIS PUBLICATION WAS GIVEN TO:

Scottish Executive Health Department
Health Protection Scotland
NHS Board Immunisation Co-ordinators and admin/IT staff for quality assurance purposes
Chairs of the Child Health Surveillance Programme National User Groups
NHS Board Chief Executives

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HISTORY OF THIS PUBLICATION:

Last Published:  26 June 2007
Next Due:  18 December 2007
Data Available Since:  March 1995

 

Main contact: Email Judith Tait