Imiwnedd COVID

23 February 2022

Dear 

ATISN 16021 – Evidence for vitamin D statement on Welsh Government website

Thank you for your request to the Welsh Government for information under the Freedom of Information Act (2000) received on 26 January 2022.  You requested the following: 

1. Provide evidence that Vitamin D is not useful for prevention against Coronavirus

Our Response

Vitamin D is needed to keep bones and muscles healthy. It has also been suggested that vitamin D could reduce the incidence and severity of COVID-19. As yet, there is insufficient evidence to prove that it helps people respond to COVID-19, but as more evidence is accumulated, our understanding may change. In the meantime, people should follow the current UK government advice on vitamin D supplementation to support general health, in particular bone and muscle health.

Evidence reviews have been conducted by both the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN).

NICE conducted a rapid evidence review evaluating evidence from recent studies on vitamin D in relation to COVID-19. The expert panel supported current government advice on vitamin D supplementation to support musculoskeletal health, however the panel concluded that “there is no evidence to support taking vitamin D supplements to specifically prevent or treat COVID 19”. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG187

SACN carried out rapid reviews assessing the evidence on vitamin D and acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) that have been published since the SACN report on Vitamin D and Health (2016). These were also published in 2020 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sacn-rapid-review-vitamin-d-and-acute-respiratory-tract-infections

This topic will continue to be kept under review. The Welsh Government’s recommendations may be updated if findings from robust, high quality studies provide clarification on a role for vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infections.

Next Steps

If you are dissatisfied with the Welsh Government’s handling of your request, you can ask for an internal review within 40 working days of the date of this response. Requests for an internal review should be addressed to the Welsh Government’s Freedom of Information Officer at: 

Information Rights Unit, 
Welsh Government,
Cathays Park, 
Cardiff, 
CF10 3NQ 
or Email: FFreedom.ofinformation@gov.wales

Please remember to quote the ATISN reference number above. 
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: 

Information Commissioner’s Office, 
Wycliffe House, 
Water Lane, 
Wilmslow, 
Cheshire, 
SK9 5AF

However, please note that the Commissioner will not normally investigate a complaint until it has been through our own internal review process.

Yours sincerely