There is a shortage of a vaccine called Pediacel used against against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio

Babies could be put at risk by a critical shortage of vital vaccinations.

Every GP practice in the country has been warned that limits will be imposed from Monday on three types of vaccine which protect youngsters from tetanus, polio, diphtheria, whooping cough and meningitis. 

Doctors say the restrictions - which could last until next March - mean that they'll miss targets that could endanger children.

Youngsters have an increased risk of catching diseases until they have their vaccinations and doctors fear some children could end up missing out altogether.

They are also concerned the delays undermine messages about the importance of the immunisation programmes.

The problems mainly centre on the shortage of a vaccine called Pediacel which is given at two, three and four months old.

A Manchester nurse, who asked not to be named, said her surgery usually vaccinates 30 children a week but has been told it will receive just 13 doses of them each fortnight instead of the 60 they need.

After frantic calls from GPs, the department of health is now set to write to all practices doubling their allocation, but doctors say this will still leave them short of jabs.

Dr Peter Fink, secretary of Manchester local medical committee, said: 'It is completely ridiculous. The situation is ludicrous, It is beyond belief that this can happen.

'This problem will waste time for families, doctors and nurses. There is a risk some children will get the vaccinations at the wrong time or miss out altogether. 

'And it sends the wrong message out to patients and devalues the importance of the immunisation programme undermining the efforts we are making to improve low vaccination levels in some parts of Manchester.'

Kailash Chand, regional representative of the British Medical Association, said: 'This is not acceptable. It is not good enough and it may mean we do not meet the target for 90 per cent vaccinations among youngsters. It has serious implications.'

There is confusion over what has caused the shortages. In her letter to GPs, Sally Webster, head of infection control at Manchester Primary Care Trust (PCT), says 'the reason is unclear'.

The letter acknowledges 'a national shortage'. She advises doctors to continue giving the vaccinations they have available and contact her if their supplies are not adequate, but she says she is 'unable to guarantee a result'.

A letter from the vaccine distributors Movianto to GPs says: 'We can only accept reductions to allocations.'

Denial
Department of health officials deny there is a problem with production saying shortages have been caused by the success of their campaign to vaccinate youngsters who had missed out on the jab. 

But many doctors believe it is a result of poor planning.

There are also suggestions that some doctors have been stockpiling vaccines or not following guidance about which types of vaccine to use for certain age groups.

Last night a spokesman for the PCT said: 'We understand that at a national level more vaccine is being distributed than is needed to immunise all eligible children.

'The supply process is being changed so that practices receive a fixed allocation based on the number of vaccines they have used in the past. 

'It's important to stress that children will not go without the vaccine and we intend that any delays in receiving it will be kept to a minimum.'

A Department of Health spokesperson said: 'We are aware that the speed with which PCTs have deployed the preschool booster programme has put pressure on supplies, and we are working with our supplier to ensure that everyone who needs supplies receive them.'

Babies receive a jab at two, three and four months old protecting against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and meningitis C.

Four-year-olds are given a booster for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio and meningitis.

At 11 months, babies are given a booster against meningitis.