At-risk groups to be offered free vitamin D supplements from January

The Department of Health and Social Care is to offer a free 4-month supply of vitamin D supplements from January 2021 to support general health, and in particular bone and muscle health, to anyone in England who is clinically extremely vulnerable.

All care homes will automatically receive supplements 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 free, directly to their homes.

New guidance explains who should opt in and how the supplements should be consumed and stored. People are advised to read the guidance in full before deciding whether to opt in, as vitamin D supplements are not suitable for everyone. Those who are already in receipt of Vitamin D supplements from their GP should not participate in the scheme, and should follow dosage instructions from their GP.

Those who decide to opt into the new initiative, need to register their details between 30 November 2020 and 4 January 2021 at nhs.uk/get-vitamin-d

Press release: At-risk groups to receive free winter supply of vitamin D

Guidance: Vitamin D supplements: how to take them safely

Jayne Easterbrook UKHCA's medication trainer, suggests where people who use homecare services lack capacity to decide whether to opt in, the provider may wish to check if there is someone with power of attorney for health and wellbeing. If not, then advice should be sought from the GP so a 'best interests' decision can be taken.

The DHSC initiative is accompanied by a statement from PHE and NICE on vitamin D supplementation during winter which advises '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'.