Immunisations: diphtheria

Diphtheria is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacteria diphtheriae affecting the upper respiratory tract and occasionally the skin. Spread is by droplet infections and through contact with articles soiled by infected persons. An effective vaccine against the disease was introduced in 1940. A combined diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, (see Health Scotland for specific vaccines and immunisation timetable), has been in use in the UK since the 1950s.

At a Scotland level, current quarterly uptakes (period ending 30 June 2006) at 12 and 24 months for Diphtheria, stand at 96.5% and 97.7% respectively.

Direct links to the relevant tables and charts, on the Child Health section of the ISD website, are provided below:

• Childhood immunisation uptake rates for Diphtheria: up to 31st December 2006, for Scotland and by Health Board
• Uptake rates over time by age
• Time trends for Scotland and NHS Board
• Childhood immunisation quarterly uptake rates and uptake rates by calendar year (January to December 2006) by Community Health Partnership
• Maps showing uptake of Diphtheria immunisations in Scotland by postcode sect

Information on the incidence of Diphtheria is available on the HPS website.