A MAJOR campaign is being launched after it was revealed parents in East Lancashire are leaving hundreds of children exposed to killer diseases.

Disappointing child immunisation rates for conditions including meningitis, polio and diptheria, as well as measles, mumps, rubella and flu, have prompted public health officials in NHS East Lancashire to take action.

And the region’s interim public health director said the health trust, doctors and paediatric experts could do more to improve Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley’s position.

Nearly two out of 10 youngsters have not had diptheria, tetanus and polio boosters by the age of five.

And the same is estimated for the second measles, mumps and rubella shot at the same age, in the five boroughs.

Only 85 per cent of youngsters have been adequately protected against the potentially deadly pneumococcal strain of meningitis.

Just over 93 per cent of one-year-olds get their diptheria, tetanus and polio innoculations and a similar rate exists for flu and meningitis C jabs.

But only 88 per cent of two-year-olds have their first MMR shot and none of the six jabs meet the government’s 95 per cent target.

A national NHS support team has been in East Lancashire, offering guidance about improving the performance figures.

Atefa Hussain, a non-executive director of NHS East Lancashire, said: “I am concerned about childhood immunisation rates. We have not seen any improvement for six months. Do we need to be targeting specific areas where our performance is not high?”

Dr Sohail Bhatti, the trust’s interim public health director, said: “A national support team is coming to East Lancashire so hopefully we will find out what we can do better. We also have an intensive programme to improve our activity and see if there is anything else we can learn.”