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The prevention and control of infectious diseases through vaccination and also their elimination and eradication trend, when possible, remain one of the main health-related purposes worldwide. Unfortunately, the immunization coverage has not reached the optimal level and because o f its negative evolution, there are still sporadic cases, outbreaks or even epidemics o f vaccine-preventable diseases. One example recently seen in breaking news and headlines is represented by diphtheria, a toxin-mediated acute disease caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. A 6 year-old boy, from the Catalan city of Olot, province of Girona, died on the 27th of June 2015, after suffering complications o f diphtheria. The parents refused to vaccinate the child in the past. His first presentation to the doctor was a month before his death, on May 28,h. After 3 days, Spain announced through EWRS (Early Warning and Response System) the first case o f diphtheria in the country, from the last three decades. This dramatic event should represent a warning sign to public health authorities, civil society and mass media, in order to prevent future similar situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk of transmission and the death rate of vaccinepreventable diseases require constant review of national immunization programs' efficacy, in order to increase the compliance of the general population. Last year, in Spain, a child died following an infection with Corynebacterium diphtheriae and this case produced a “state of alert” about the importance of international vaccination coverage for preventable diseases and also about the the need for the existence of diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) as national supplies. The National Reference Centre from Belgium confirmed a case of diphtheria on the 15th of March, 2016 in a 3‑year‑old child, in the city of Antwerp (Anvers). It should be mentioned that she was not vaccinated against diphtheria. She has been hospitalized on the 11th of March, in an intensive care unit, with symptoms for the last five days. In the absence of national production of diphtheria antitoxin (DAT), which is the treatment of choice for diphtheria, the Scientific Institute of Public Health asked the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) on the 16th of March. ECDC facilitated the immediate supplementation of DAT from the Netherlands. Despite the antitoxin administration on the 16th of March, the child died the next day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]