Muslim children could miss out on a free vaccine being rolled out in primary schools – because it contains pig gelatine.
The nasal vaccine is being offered to pupils in Years 1 and 2 across East Staffordshire as part of a drive to help protect them against seasonal flu.
However, the vaccine contains a processed form of gelatine, which is not acceptable in some faith groups.
The gelatine, which is used in a range of many essential medicines, is derived from boiling skin, tendons, ligaments and bones of pigs.
Pork and pig derivatives are a forbidden food to eat in Muslim culture, and with no suitable alternatives, some children could be left out of the scheme.
Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Partnership, which is behind the delivery of the programme, said injectable flu vaccines were available but were ‘less effective’ and were not being delivered as part of the programme.
Councillor Syed Hussain, who represents the Anglesey Ward on East Staffordshire Borough Council, said that the scheme would not work.
He said: “I am not in a position to tell people whether to let their child have the vaccine. However, I have three children and I will not allow them to have the nasal vaccine, because of my faith.
“I have visited a lot of people who are in the same position. This is not for the greater good.”
The injectable flu vaccines that do not contain pork gelatine are considered less effective in healthy children and do less to reduce the spread of flu in the community.
Primary schools in the area sent out packs to parents informing them of the programme and what the vaccines contained so that they could all make an informed choice as to whether they accepted the gelatine medical product.
Anglesey Primary Academy, in Clarence Street, Burton, went one step further and sent out a text to all parents of the school to warn them again as a precautionary measure.
Charlotte Hopkins, head teacher at the academy, said: “Our school has a lot of Muslim children so we sent an alert to all parents to make sure they were fully informed.”
Dr James Shipman, partnership trust medical director, said: “The nasal vaccine provides the best protection against flu, particularly in young children. It also reduces the risk to family members, who may be more vulnerable to the complications of flu.
“The injected vaccine is not thought to reduce spread so effectively and so is not being offered to healthy children as part of this programme.
“However, if a child is at high risk from flu due to one or more medical conditions and can’t have the nasal flu vaccine they should have the flu vaccine by injection.”