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More than 2.5 million people in England will receive a free supply of vitamin D from the government, officials said.
Nursing homes in England will automatically receive supplemental supplies for their residents on plans announced on Saturday. Those on the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable List will be sent a letter offering them the opportunity to opt for a supply for their homes.
The free deliveries will begin in January and will provide four-month vitamin D to up to 2.7 million people.
Public Health England (PHE) advises everyone to take 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day between October and early March, particularly the elderly, people who do not go outdoors and people with dark skin.
Vitamin D is often referred to as the sunshine vitamin because from late March to late September, most people should be able to get all the vitamin D they need from sunlight. The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when it is outdoors, but between October and early March, people do not get enough vitamin D from sunlight.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown measures that keep people indoors longer than normal, many people may be at increased risk for vitamin D deficiency.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Due to the incredible sacrifices made by the British people to control the virus, many of us have spent more time indoors this year and we may be deficient in vitamin D.
“The government is taking steps to ensure that vulnerable people can access a free supply that will last them during the darkest winter months. This will support your overall health, keep your bones and muscles healthy, and most importantly, reduce the pressure on our NHS. “
Anyone who can buy vitamin D supplements is advised to start taking them now, even if they are eligible for a shipment next year.
Research is underway to investigate the link between vitamin D and protection from Covid-19, including a project at Queen Mary University of London investigating whether correcting people’s vitamin D deficiencies during winter can reduce risk and / or the severity of Covid-19 and other acute respiratory illnesses. Infections
Hancock has asked PHE and the National Institute for Excellence in Health and Care to reexamine the existing evidence on the link between vitamin D and Covid-19 “to ensure that we explore all potential opportunities to defeat this virus. “.
