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MMR uptake breakthrough
16/12/2008
Figures show a record high uptake rate for the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine since a target for five year olds was introduced.
ISD Scotland statistics out today - covering the three months to September 30 this year - show the target of having 95 per cent of five year olds in Scotland immunised with at least one dose of the MMR vaccine has been surpassed for the first time since the target was introduced in September 2006.
The number of children who have had a second dose of the MMR by age five has also risen, from 81.1 per cent last quarter to 87.4 per cent.
Uptake rates for the majority of other childhood immunisations remain above 95 per cent.
Public Health Minister Shona Robison said:
"Immunisations are critical to maintaining our public health, and ensuring our children are immunised at the earliest opportunity is one of the best ways we have of protecting them from illness.
"Today's statistics show more and more parents now realise that the MMR is a very important vaccine for children.
"Surpassing the 95 per cent MMR uptake target for the first time is another major breakthrough for Scotland's childhood immunisations programme, which is one of the most successful in the world.
"The challenge now is to sustain this progress, and we will continue to work with health professionals to make sure parents have the facts they need to make informed decisions about MMR and other immunisations."
The record high uptake was also welcomed by Scotland's Chief Medical Officer Dr Harry Burns:
"The combined MMR vaccine has been used safely for nearly thirty years in more than 100 countries, with more than half a billion doses being administered.
"Some parents undoubtedly do still have concerns about MMR, but evidence shows that this is a safe vaccine.
"Exceeding the 95 per cent uptake target for 5 year olds just starting school not only protects these children but means there will ultimately be fewer serious illnesses in circulation.
"Immunisation remains the safest and most effective way of protecting children and the wider community against the risks of serious infectious diseases."
Uptake of primary courses of immunisation for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib (an infection caused by bacteria that can lead to a number of major illnesses such as blood poisoning and meningitis), meningitis C and PCV (a type of vaccine used to protect children from pneumococcal disease, an infection by bacteria that can cause a range of illnesses such as pneumonia and meningitis) at 12 months remains high at above 95 per cent.
Uptake rates for other childhood immunisations over the same period (the three months to September 30, 2008) have also risen. The combined Hib/MenC booster, introduced in September 2006, has risen steadily to reach 90.6 per cent by 24 months, while uptake of the PCV booster by the same age is now 93 per cent.