Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with (a) the Royal College of Nursing and (b) other bodies on the potential effect of vitamins in protecting against covid-19.

Vitamin C is under evaluation as a treatment for COVID-19 in the REMAP-CAP clinical trial. Patients in this trial are hospitalised with proven COVID-19 and have been admitted to intensive care for non-invasive or invasive ventilatory support or for cardiovascular support.

Vitamin D is not currently included in any ongoing clinical trials in the United Kingdom. However, there are ongoing research studies to assess its use in reducing risk of COVID-19 in those who are vitamin D deficient, its use as a prognostic marker in COVID-19 and data on vitamin use is being captured in a COVID-19 registry. There are guidelines use of vitamins, specifically vitamin D use as a nutritional supplement. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence have issued specific guidance and evidence summary relating to vitamin D.