Question reference: S5W-33174
- Asked by: Alison Johnstone, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 11 November 2020
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Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 25 November 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of international evidence linking vitamin D deficiency to COVID-19 severity, whether it will fund the provision of vitamin D supplements for all people in Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Government has no plans to fund universal supplementation of vitamin D.
In June this year, the UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), published the outcome of their reviews on vitamin D and COVID-19. Both found that the evidence at that time did not support the contention that vitamin D supplementation could improve COVID-19 outcomes.
SACN concluded that evidence at that time did not support vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory tract infection in the general UK population. Its review reiterated the importance of vitamin D for bone and muscle health. SACN’s statement is at: https://app.box.com/s/g0ldpth1upfd7fw763ew3aqa3c0pyvky
NICE conducted a rapid evidence summary on vitamin D in the context of COVID-19 which concluded that there was no evidence at that time to support taking vitamin D supplements to specifically prevent or treat COVID-19. NICE also reiterated that people should continue to follow advice on daily vitamin D supplementation to maintain bone and muscle health. The summary of NICE’s review is at: https://www.nice.org.uk/advice/es28/chapter/Key-messages
We are aware that evidence around vitamin D is constantly evolving and we will continue to look to SACN for advice as that evidence develops.
Everyone should consider taking a daily 10 microgram supplement of vitamin D to protect bone and muscle health, particularly during the winter months. It is specifically recommended that groups at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency take a daily supplement all year round. This includes pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants and children under 5, people who have low or no exposure to the sun, and people from minority ethnic groups with dark skin who require more sun exposure to make as much vitamin D.
Current advice on vitamin D is available at: www.gov.scot/publications/vitamin-d-advice-for-all-age-groups
Everyone on the shielding list has been offered a free four month supply of vitamin D from December 2020. Information outlining how to receive this offer has been sent to all those on the shielding list. Advice on the importance of vitamin D supplements has also been provided to those on the shielding list through Scottish Government websites and information updates attached to letters from the Chief Medical Officer.