Immunisations: key points

• Immunisation is one of the most important weapons for protecting individuals and the community from serious diseases.
• The national childhood immunisation programme routinely offers protection against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Polio,  Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Meningococcal C disease (Men C), Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), and Pneumococcal infection.
• In Scotland, current quarterly uptakes at 12 and 24 months for Pertussis, HIB, Tetanus, Polio and Diptheria stand at 96.5% and 97.7% respectively.
• Latest figures for uptake of the MMR vaccine show a slight increase from 90.9% for children born in the first quarter of 2004, to 91.9% for those born in second quarter of 2004.
• Uptake of the MMR vaccine at 24 months has seen an increase across the majority of NHS Boards in Scotland through there is large variation in MMR uptake across NHS Boards and Community Health Partnerships.