Parents of vulnerable children are putting their sons and daughters at risk by failing to immunise them against flu.

Less them half of ‘at risk’ two-year-olds in Kirklees and Calderdale were immunised against the bug, according to official statistics.

Just 46% of two-years-olds – with respiratory problems and other conditions rendering them vulnerable – in both boroughs received a flu vaccine, according to figures from the government Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC).

By comparison, almost all (over 95%) two-year-olds in Kirklees and Calderdale had been vaccinated against diptheria, polio, whooping cough, MMR and other childhood diseases.

Indeed, three-quarters (75%) of over-65s in West Yorkshire received flu vaccines.

But the uptake of flu vaccines was similarly low among vulnerable children, aged three and four, in Kirklees and Calderdale.

Flu immunisations of at-risk children in Kirklees

43%

At-risk four-year-olds immunised

52%

At-risk three-year-olds immunised

Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC)

In Calderdale, 58% of ‘at risk’ three-year-olds and 53% of ‘at risk’ four-year-olds had been vaccinated.

Last year, a nasal flu vaccine containing a tiny amount of pork gelatine was shunned by Muslim parents.

But Paul Butcher, head of public health at Calderdale Council, stressed the danger of catching full-blown flu, particular among children with respiratory complications.

He said: “Flu isn’t just a bad cold, it’s a serious illness and it’s particularly important that these ‘risk’ groups receive the vaccine, as catching flu could lead to severe complications like pneumonia.

MORE: Thousands of Muslim children not being vaccinated against the flu after Kirklees imams reject NHS nasal spray

“To improve uptake in these groups, Calderdale Council is supporting Public Health England (PHE) and the NHS by encouraging all people who are eligible for the free vaccine to attend their surgery or a participating pharmacy, or for children in years 1 and 2 of primary school to receive the vaccine at school.

“PHE is still recommending the use of the Fluenz vaccine, which is the nasal spray used to vaccinate children over two years old. This product does contain pork gelatine, and parents are provided with information about the vaccine so that they can make an informed decision about whether or not it is acceptable for their children.”

A spokesman for Kirklees Council said: “The council works closely with local health organisations to promote uptake of the flu vaccine. This covers a wide range of vulnerable groups, including children who are considered to be at risk. We know the difference that the vaccine can make to local children and families and, as a partnership, we are continuing to focus on this work.

“The children’s flu programme is designed to protect as many people in the community as possible. If a parent or carer thinks their child is at high risk due to one or more medical conditions or treatments, it’s important that they speak to their doctor as they may be eligible for the injectable flu vaccine.

“Amongst older children, Kirklees had the second highest uptake in West Yorkshire for vaccinations among school pupils in Years 7 and 8 in 2014/15 programme.”