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 will be free of
charge, starting in January, and will provide 4 months’
worth of supplements to last people through the winter
months.
The supplements will support general health, in
particular bone and muscle health. 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 COVID-19.
Evidence of the link of vitamin D to COVID-19 is still
being researched with larger scale trials needed. In
the meantime, the Secretary of State has asked the
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
(NICE)
and Public Health England (PHE) to re-review the
existing evidence. The government will publish its
findings towards the end of the year.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care 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.
Dr Alison Tedstone, Chief Nutritionist at Public Health
England, said:
Vitamin D is important for our bone and muscle
health.
We advise that everyone, particularly the elderly,
those who don’t get outside and those with dark skin,
takes a vitamin D supplement containing 10 micrograms
(400IU) every day.
This year, the advice is more important than ever
with more people spending more time inside, which is
why the government will be helping the clinically
extremely vulnerable to get vitamin D.
The advice from PHE is for everybody to
take 10 micrograms (400 IU) of vitamin D a day between
October and early March to keep bones and muscles
healthy.
PHE 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.
Anyone who is able to purchase a vitamin D supplement
and start taking them now is advised to do so, even if
you are also eligible for a delivery later in the year.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
will provide further information and guidance for all
nursing and residential care home providers in the
coming weeks.
