Free winter supply of vitamin D for at-risk groups

The government has said that more than 2.5 million vulnerable people across England will be offered free vitamin D supplements for the winter.

All care homes will automatically receive a provision for their residents, while individuals on the clinically extremely vulnerable list will receive a letter inviting them to opt in for a supply to be delivered directly to their homes.

Deliveries of the supplement, which will support general health, in particular bone and muscle health, will be free of charge, starting in January, and will provide four months’ worth of supplements to last people through the winter months. This is particularly important this year as these individuals are more likely to have been indoors for extended periods due to measures introduced to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Because of the incredible sacrifices made by the British people to control the virus, many of us have spent more time indoors this year and could be deficient in vitamin D. The government is taking action to ensure vulnerable individuals can access a free supply to last them through the darker winter months. This will support their general health, keep their bones and muscles healthy and crucially reduce the pressure on our NHS.

“A number of studies indicate vitamin D might have a positive impact in protecting against Covid-19. I have asked NICE and PHE to re-review the existing evidence on the link between Covid-19 and vitamin D to ensure we explore every potential opportunity to beat this virus.”

Public Health England advises people who are more at risk of not having enough vitamin D to take a vitamin D supplement all year round. A range of products and doses are available at supermarkets, pharmacies and other retailers.