Vitamin D Supplements

NHS GGC Provision of Vitamin D Supplements for Pregnant Women, Breastfeeding Women and Those Under 3 Years Old

From 1st April 2021 all breastfeeding women and children under 3 years old in NHS GGC have been eligible for a free Vitamin D supplement.

This replaces Healthy Start provision from pharmacies (although Healthy Start tablets will still be supplied to pregnant women by maternity services).

All breastfeeding women will be provided with one bottle of Pro Health Vitamin D tablets from their maternity unit.  Subsequent supplies will be obtained from Community Pharmacies via UCF free of charge.

All children under 3 years old will be eligible to Pro Health Vitamin D drops free of charge from Community Pharmacies via UCF.  Children having more than 500mls (around 1 pint) of formula milk do not need Vitamin D supplements as formula milk is fortified with Vit D3.

Vitamin D is key in maintaining bone health throughout life.  Vitamin D deficiency can lead to:

• Infants having muscle weakness and bone softening leading to rickets
• Adults having muscle weakness and osteomalacia, which leads to bone pain and tenderness.¹

Current national guidelines² recommend that groups at higher risk of Vitamin D deficiency take a daily supplement.  This includes:

• All pregnant and breastfeeding women and
• Infants and children under 5 years old.

In line with this, the following changes in NHS GGC’s free Vitamin D provision are being made:

For women:

• To date, all pregnant women receive free Healthy Start women’s vitamins (containing Vitamin D, Folic Acid and Vitamin C):
  • At maternity booking and;
  • For the duration of the pregnancy from community midwives

This remains unchanged.

• From 1^st April 2021 all breastfeeding women have been eligible for free

Pro Health Vitamin D3 10 micrograms (mcg) tablets from their baby’s birth until breastfeeding ceases.

New mums should receive their first supply from their maternity unit.

Subsequent supplies will be obtainable from NHS GGC Community Pharmacies via UCF

For infants and children:

• Infants and children under 3 years old (receiving less than 500ml of infant formula) are eligible for free Pro Health Vitamin D3 drops 10mcg per drop.

Initial supplies for breastfed infants should be made from maternity units or during community midwife visits.

Vitamin D3 is not needed if an infant or child is having more than 500ml (around 1 pint) infant formula every day as formula milk is fortified with Vitamin D3.

Subsequent supplies will be obtainable free for all suitable children under 3 years old from NHS GGC Community Pharmacies via UCF.

Pharmacy supply will be via a UCF

• Select ‘Health Board Local Service’
• Prescribe as Vitamin D 10mcg tablets or 10mcg per drop drops (Pro Health) or;
• Colecalciferol 400 IU tablets or 400 IU/ml drops (Pro Health)
• 120ml for tablets and 2.4ml for drops

The dose is:

• One tablet daily for women
• One drop (10mcg) daily for babies and children
• The dose of one drop (10mcg Vitamin D3) daily can be administered from a clean spoon or mixed with food or drinks.

Although the new Vitamin D scheme ensures children under 3 years old are eligible for free Vitamin D, Vitamin D is advised for all children under 5 years old¹:

• Vitamin D drops can therefore be recommended and sold for children aged 3-5 years old.
• We would encourage the display of Pro Health Vitamins for sale - ideally with other children’s and post-natal vitamins.

Pro Health Vitamin D3 Details

• Sugar free
• Suitable for those following a vegan, vegetarian, halal or kosher diet
• Available from Alliance Health Care

N.B. If you have difficulty obtaining Pro Health stock via online ordering with Alliance, please telephone Alliance and place the order using the PIP Code.

To Promote Pro Health Vitamin D Supply

• Resources including a window sticker, prescription bag labels and point of sale wobblers will be delivered directly to Community Pharmacies during initial roll-out.
• You may be presented with postcards (given to new mums from Maternity Services)
• An information booklet for Vitamin D for breastfeeding women and children under 3 years old.

For any queries or further supplies of resources to promote this service contact the Pharmacy  Public Health Improvement Team at:

West House, Gartnavel Hospital, 1055 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0XH

Tel: 0141 201 4945          Email: pharmacyhit@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

References, Further Details and Resources Can Be Accessed Via:

1. CMO (2017) New Recommendations on Vitamin D Supplementation
2. Vitamin D: advice for all age groups - (www.gov.scot)
3. nhsggc.org.uk/your-health/vitamin-d/

Details on the Vitamin D Supplement Service for patients and professionals and frequently asked questions including patient booklet that can be ordered free from the Public Health Resource Directory (see below).

4. Public Health Resource Directory where further free information booklets and leaflets resources can be ordered (in multiple languages) at the Health Promotion Access Catalogue

Responsible Person: Alex Thurlow

Last Updated: 09/11/2023