HEALTH campaigners have called on the Scottish Government to provide free vitamin D supplements after advice was re-issued for pregnant women and children to take it daily.

Shine on Scotland, a group which aims to raise awareness of vitamin D deficiency, claims the Government is "dragging its feet" on the issue and needs to do more to avoid youngsters contracting conditions like rickets, or adults developing multiple sclerosis (MS).

Scotland's Chief Medical Office (CMO), Sir Harry Burns, yesterday reiterated guidelines for people to guard against the risks of deficiency and with other CMOs sent a joint letter to medical professionals, reminding them to raise awareness.

The guidelines state that all pregnant and breastfeeding women should take a daily supplement of 10 micrograms of vitamin D to ensure adequate fetal stores for early infancy.

While infants aged between six months and five years should take seven to eight-and-a-half micrograms daily in the form of vitamin drops.

Currently, disadvantaged families on very low incomes receive vitamin D as part of the Healthy Start scheme, but Shine on Scotland claims it should be free for everyone who needs it.

Alan McLaughlin, Shine's campaign manager, said: "We really need drastic thinking on this and the Government is dragging its feet. We're trying to improve the health of the nation and protect future generations from MS, rickets and other diseases. We need uniform availability for all pregnant women and children who need it.

"Scotland has the highest rate of MS in the world. An estimated 90% of the population has a vitamin D deficiency, while for the rest of the UK it's 75 to 80%.

"Rickets have also become prevalent again in Scotland. The re-issue of a statement isn't going far enough to change that.

"It costs 47p for a two-month supply of the supplement. Is the Government really saying a child's health is not worth a few pounds a year?"

He added: "Uptake of vitamin D supplements is low because people aren't aware of how much of an impact it can have on health. The Government last year produced a leaflet on the guidelines. That will have had some impact on people, but not nearly enough." He called for TV advertising to raise awareness.

Margaret Watt, chair of the Scottish Patients Association, backed his calls to make Scots more aware of vitamin D deficiency. She said: "It's very important people know the importance of vitamin D – the benefits it can have and the disadvantages if you don't get enough of it – and the Government should strive to ensure people know.

"We don't get much sun in Scotland and this is a big part of the problem. Everybody should make sure they're getting enough vitamin D. If they are unsure they should contact their doctor."

Mr McLaughlin, who founded Shine on Scotland with his son Ryan after his wife developed MS, also wants to see increased vitamin D in the Healthy Start supplement and milk or juice fortified with vitamin D given out in nurseries and schools.

The guidelines state that pensioners and people not exposed to much sun should also take a supplement. But infants on formula milk will not need vitamin drops until they are receiving less than 500ml a day, as it is fortified with vitamin D.

Sir Harry said: "My colleagues and I are writing a joint letter to health professionals to increase awareness of this important issue, highlighting the fact there are steps that people who may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency, such as pregnant women, infants and young children, can take to avoid low levels.

"Health professionals can make can make a significant difference to people's health by making those at risk aware of how important it is to make sure they get enough vitamin D."

The Scottish Government said it was up to individual health authorities to decide whether or not to provide free vitamin D supplements to those not in the Healthy Start programme. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lothian and NHS Lanarkshire only provide it under the Healthy Start scheme.