Diphtheria

What is diphtheria?

Diphtheria is a serious infection. It can affect the lungs and heart, and can cause paralysis. It can also lead to death, especially in children.

How many people died of diphtheria?

Before the vaccination campaign, around 3,000 children died of diphtheria each year.

When was a vaccination introduced for diphtheria?

A vaccination for diphtheria was introduced in 1942, with the first nationally government funded campaign to encourage vaccinations.

Why was the vaccination for diphtheria introduced?

Due to crowding in air raid shelters during the Second World War, the government was worried that more children would catch and then die of diphtheria.

What was the result of the campaign for diphtheria?

Once the vaccination was introduced the number of cases of diphtheria reduced dramatically. Within a decade the disease was becoming very rare.