Summary of National Surveillance Data on Vaccine Preventable Diseases in Australia, 2008-2011

This summary report on vaccine preventable diseases in Australia brings together the 3 most important national sources of routinely collected data on vaccine preventable diseases (notifications, hospitalisations and deaths) for all age groups for the period January 2008 to December 2011. The general trend towards improved control of disease is evident, particularly in the childhood years. Detailed results are available in 16 individual chapters. Although these data have limitations, which are discussed in detail in the body of the report, some clear trends are evident. Compared with the previous review period (2005-2007), there are continuing declines in the overall disease burden, driven by improving control of mumps, rubella, hepatitis B and meningococcal disease. There is an ongoing absence of disease due to polio and a continuing low incidence of tetanus. There have been continuing declines in the incidence of hepatitis A and B. However, there were 4 notified cases of diphtheria in 2011; prior to these reports there had been no notified diphtheria cases since 2001. Influenza and pertussis notifications have increased, whereas notifications and hospitalisations for mumps have remained stable and for meningococcal disease have declined. Influenza, pertussis and pneumococcal disease continue to contribute the greatest burden of serious disease.