[Diphtheria prevention among children in Denmark]

Immunisation against diphtheria has been practised in Denmark since 1943, and has been integrated in the childhood immunisation programme since 1950. Three doses of DT-IPV, given at the ages of 5, 6 and 15 months provide an immunisation coverage of 95-99 percent. Although prevalent, with recurrent epidemics during the pre-vaccine era, with the introduction of immunisation, diphtheria has been practically eliminated for the past 40 years. However, the present epidemic in Russia and Eastern Europe emphasises that, even today, the absence of diphtheria can only be maintained through an effective immunisation programme. It is intended to reinforce the Danish immunisation programme with a fourth vaccination (with deoxythymidine) at school entry.