Millions of elderly and vulnerable people will get free vitamin D from the government as evidence grows that it helps in the fight against covid-19.
- Adequate supply of vitamins will be sent to rescuers for four months
- It comes after Matt Hancock decided to take swift action because of the evidence about the benefits
- The study found that 80% of Kovid victims in the hospital had vitamin D deficiency
The government will send a supply of vitamin D to millions of vulnerable people as evidence grows that it helps in the fight against covid-19 infection.
Care-home residents and people suffering from conditions such as shields will send an adequate supply of vitamins for four months, with the first package due early next month.
The move comes after Health Secretary Matt Hancock decided he would have to take swift action in light of emerging evidence about the benefits of vitamin D.
As care-home residents and people suffering from conditions such as shields will be sent an adequate supply of vitamins for four months, the first package will arrive early next month (file photo)
A recent study found that more than 80 per cent of hospitalized Covid-19 victims are vitamin D deficient, compared to the UK average of 25 per cent.
The ministers are hoping that the process of taking more vitamins with a more effective drug treatment and a viable vaccine will be combined to eliminate the need for an endless range of rolling lockdown.
A senior government source said the direct delivery to the homes of people in England would ‘help prevent vitamin D deficiency and maintain normal blood calcium levels and keep bones and muscles healthy.’
The source added: ‘We are going to ensure that people with the most need for vitamin D can get supplies for it during the winter. There are many studies that suggest that vitamin D supplementation may have a positive effect on people suffering from covid-19. ‘
The move comes after Health Secretary Matt Hancock decided it would have to take swift action in light of emerging evidence about the benefits of vitamin D.
This step will be taken with the start of clinical trials to further evaluate the links between vitamin D and covid-19.
Those who will receive the free supply include organ transplant recipients, chemotherapy patients and people with severe respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Vitamin D is a hormone produced by the kidneys that regulates the concentration of calcium in the blood and has a direct effect on the body’s immune system.
Some experts have suggested that higher rates of severe Covid-19 complications in patients with ethnic minorities may be due to lower levels of vitamin D, as they are able to synthesize from sunlight.
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