Vit D for the vulnerable and elderly

We've been taking it for months. No improvement in my awful nails unfortunately. Boots usually have it on 3 for 2. Quite cheap.

My husband got The Letter today and in the advice was a recommendation for Vit D because so many of us have spent so long indoors this year. You can apply for it online, however it won’t be wheeled out till January. Lots of ads in the papers suggest sending for other various supplements but if you are fortunate enough to have a balanced diet many are unnecessary .

I really don’t see why anyone who can afford it, shouldn’t just buy it.
Ditto for any medicines that can be bought over the counter, though I do think GPs are now more reluctant to prescribe items that are very cheap to buy anywhere, e.g. paracetamol. I read somewhere that each prescription item costs the NHS £7 in admin, regardless of its basic cost!

When I had shingles, the GP didn’t even prescribe the stronger painkillers - she told me I could get them over the counter in Boots (though not just off the shelf.)
I think she’d deduced that I’d be happy to pay, though.

I took Vitamin D tablets last winter, but didn't bother through the summer, and am now taking them again. I don't mind paying for them, but am all in favour of free ones for the vulnerable.

I take 2 Accrete D3 every day, prescribed by my GP.
This was after a scan 4 years ago which showed osteoporosis.
I never get colds or anything else really.
If my GP stopped prescribing I would buy them so I am very pleased that it has been recognised just how effective they are.

DH and I are taking VitD every day after reports of benefits in the press. However, not everyone is able to keep up to date with advice so providing it free to all clinically vulnerable folk should ensure those that need it are getting it.

I wonder if the people saying we should all be responsible for our own health are the same ones who said parents were responsible for feeding their own children during the holidays?

At this time of year older people end up in hospital with flu or broken bones after a fall. Since vitamin D helps strengthen bones taking it may help keep people out of hospital and if it helps our immune response to Covid 19 it is a no brainier. I don’t really see why it should be free though as it’s not that expensive to buy. Shouldn’t we older folk be taking responsibility for our own health and not be treated like children?

For all those complaining about how it shouldn't be given to all of the elderly, you can rest assured, because it isn't. It is being offered to people in care homes and the clinically extremely vulnerable.

You're so right Fanny, we don't want to get into means testing.

Sorry - I should have said that DH is recovering. Unfortunately, he is not recovered yet.

It's much cheaper to provide all vulnerable and elderly people with it free than to set up and administer a means tested scheme.

My husband is recovered from covid and pneumonia. He was hospitalised.
He was given tablets called Adcal on his 'release' (apologies - I can't think of the right word!)
They're calcium and D3 (0.3mg).
I've just googled them and they are £5.99 for 56 and widely available.
He has to take two a day.
So if you are thinking of buying vitamin D, I'd get them.

I've been taking vitamin D since the start of the year as I was deficient.
I was previously experiencing a lot of
hair loss, but it's much better now.

It’s not the question of it being good for you but should it be free to all elderly even the ones like my friend who spends half her year cruising the world It should be free (like a medication) if you are naturally or through illness low in Vit D but just to boost everyone in the elderly category, no way

I have no problem with it being given for free, for some people £3.99 is significant.

It certainly has not been suggested that VitD is a cure for Corona virus.
However, there has been evidence that Vit D vitamin D may have a role in the body's immune response to respiratory viruses.
As we get older, no matter what vitamins we take, our immune systems becomes weaker. Surely anything that helps, is worth a try?

I hope this Vit D is not becoming a cure all, like recently CBD. Any symptoms take it you’ll be OK. Still I guess a standard supplement can be taken as a precaution at least in the winter months, in my days it was Vit C!

I read a long time ago that D3 is good for lungs so I started to take it. My nails improved. A doctor was interviewed on tv recently and he said that was the only vitamin worth taking.

Totally agree travelsofar
It shouldn’t be free we should all take care of our own health wherever possible I m not very well off at all but blimey I can afford £ 3.99 every couple of months There’s too much reliant for things like this on the NHS no wonder it’s on its knees
Of course anyone ill with a low Vit D level that needs medical treatment should have it included with their medication free on the NHS but everybody in the elderly category, absolutely no way

The Scottish Govt are offering VitD for free to all on the sheilding list.

By offering it for free, it should increase the uptake and also ensure that people are taking the correct dose. This should result in consistency.
So many people are unaware of the correct dosage and most appropriate type.

I have to take prescription strength VitD and on occasions, my consultant has had to increase the dose considerably, so much so, that my pharmacist questioned the high dose.

Riverwalk i was not being mean minded. Just concerned about the ever growing bill the country has for Covid. But i take your point, it will help the NHS in the long run if it prevents people catching Covid.

I bought mine online. It was only £13.99 for a year's supply and it's D3 which apparently is the best one. However, I think if people can't afford it they should be able to get it free.

We've been taking this for some months now - neither of us are outdoor people so can only see the benefits in supplementing our vitamin D. I buy it online - it's cheaper.

It will save money in the long-run though won't it, if it helps people to resist Covid.

Just because you can afford to buy why be so mean-minded that others might get it free?

Since menopause my doctor has prescribed it twice a year, however this last year it’s been very second month. It is liquid in a glass tube and it’s free.
My nails have never been so good