PREGNANT women and new mums living in Kirklees can receive free vitamins for their babies.
New mums with a child aged under one and children between the ages of six months and four years who live in Kirklees can get free vitamins and supplements in a council scheme which aims to beat vitamin D deficiency and give babies and children a healthy start.
Figures from local health officials show up to a quarter of the population has low levels of vitamin D in their blood and the majority of pregnant women do not take vitamin D supplements.
In severe cases, deficiency can lead to bone problems such as rickets in children.
The local Healthy Start vitamin scheme in Kirklees runs alongside the national Healthy Start programme which is a Government funded statutory scheme.
Kirklees Council has extended the eligibility of the vitamin part of the national scheme.
This means that vitamins and supplements are available to these groups free regardless of whether the family is receiving benefits.
Any eligible Kirklees resident can speak to any health professional to take part in the scheme.
To find the nearest referral point please contact Yorkshire Children’s Centre on 01484 415465.
