Clinically extremely vulnerable residents in Lytham St. Anne’s are to be offered free vitamin D supplements as part of a new Government initiative announced today.

More than 2.5 million people in England who are considered at-risk will be offered a free supply of vitamin D from the start of 2021 in a bid to protect the vulnerable from coronavirus. 

Care homes in England will automatically receive supplies of the supplement for their residents under this initiative.

People on the clinically extremely vulnerable list will be offered the chance to opt in for a supply to their homes in a letter. These free deliveries will start in January, 2021 – and will provide four months’ worth of vitamin D.

Public Health England (PHE) advises everyone to take 10 micrograms of vitamin D per day between October and early March, particularly the elderly, people who do not go outside and those with dark skin.

Vitamin D is often referred to as the sunshine vitamin because, from about late March to the end of 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 outdoors, but between October and early March people do not get enough vitamin D from sunlight.

Additionally, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown measures, many may have a higher risk of a vitamin D deficiency.

Matt Hancock, Health Secretary, 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.’