Guidance

Vitamin D for vulnerable groups

Guidance for vulnerable groups offered vitamin D supplements by the government this winter.

• From: Department of Health and Social Care
• Published: 21 December 2020
• Last updated: 24 February 2021 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

Vitamin D and clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) guidance

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Vitamin D and care homes guidance

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Details

This guidance accompanies the Department of Health and Social Care’s initiative to offer a free 4-month supply of vitamin D supplements to support general health, and in particular bone and muscle health.

The guidance is for anyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable and/or in residential and nursing care homes, and has been offered a free supply of vitamin D supplements in England from January 2021.

Please read this guidance with:

• further information on vitamin D supplements: how to take them safely

• privacy notice for the vitamin D opt-in service for vulnerable groups

The service for applying for free vitamin D supplements has now closed.

Published 21 December 2020
Last updated 24 February 2021 + show all updates

1. 24 February 2021

   Updated 'Vitamin D and clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) guidance' as the opt-in service for vitamin D has now closed. The document has also been updated to reflect the latest criteria for the CEV list.

2. 15 January 2021

   Added 'Vitamin D and care homes guidance' document.

3. 22 December 2020

   Under 'When to avoid opting in', added that clinically extremely vulnerable people should not opt in to receive the vitamin D supplement if they are already taking, or are prescribed, a medication that contains vitamin D by their GP or healthcare professional.

4. 21 December 2020

   First published.