Extremely vulnerable offered free sunshine vitamin to help them through the Winter
The announcement comes as medical professionals predict a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency with vulnerable groups who have spent more time indoors this year.
The deliveries will be made to clinically extremely vulnerable and care home residents.
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.
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, take a vitamin D supplement containing 10 micrograms (400IU) every day.
The advice from Public Health England 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.
Anyone who can purchase a vitamin D supplement and start taking it now is advised to do so, even if you are also eligible for delivery later in the year.
