[Prevalence of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis in the world]

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis are very serious diseases threatening the lives of children and adults. However, these diseases are preventable by vaccination. After the World Health Organization was founded in 1946, its experts rapidly developed a vaccination schedule for the pediatric population. The former Czechoslovakia, a founding member of this organization, actively participated in the implementation of vaccination against many infectious diseases, including vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Mass vaccination of children could not be implemented in all countries of the European Region. The main problem was differences in the economic situation since the mass vaccination of the pediatric population represents a significant financial burden. It was only in the early 1970´s that the pediatric immunization program was initiated in developing countries. The article compares the impact of vaccination in different continents (Europe, Asia, Africa) since 1980. High immunization coverge is essential for a reduction in the incidence of the above infectious diseases. Cases of the diseases reported between 1980 and 2016 are cited in the article. Trends in these infectious diseases are related to the economic and political changes that occurred at the turn of the millennium.