Older people to get free Vitamin D to help battle against Covid-19
With evidence growing that Vitamin D helps in the battle against Covid-19, the government is set to send out free supplies of the vitamin to older adults and the vulnerable.
There will be enough supplies sent out to last four months and care-home residents and people shielding will be sent the first packages of Vitamin D early next month.
People who suffer from mobility issues and need a stairlift around their home that would be unable to collect the packages easily will not need to go to their local pharmacy as it will be sent directly to their address.
The Vitamin D package will be sent to millions of older adults in light of emerging evidence about the benefits of Vitamin D after a recent study revealed that over 80 per cent of Covid-19 victims admitted to hospital were Vitamin D deficient, compared with a UK average of 25 per cent.
Ministers are hoping that higher uptake of the vitamin, as well as more effective drug treatments and a viable vaccine, will help the UK avoid more lockdowns in the future.
In an article on the Daily Mail, a senior government source said: “We are going to ensure those most in need of Vitamin D can access a supply to last them throughout winter. There are a number of studies that suggest Vitamin D supplementation could have a positive impact for people suffering with Covid-19.”
Some of the recipients of the Vitamin D supplies include organ-transplant recipients, chemotherapy patients and people with severe respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis, and severe asthma.
Vitamin D helps to control blood calcium concentration, has a direct impact on the human body’s immune system and is produced by the kidneys. According to the NHS website, there are lots of foods that include Vitamin D and these include:
- Red meat
- Oily fish – salmon, sardines and mackerel
- Egg yolks
- Breakfast cereals
This news article is from Companion Stairlifts. Articles that appear on this website are for information purposes only.
